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Carolina Hurricanes fans gather in downtown Raleigh for photos, autographs, music, fun

Raleigh, N.C. — The big outdoor hockey game is Saturday, but for thousands of Carolina Hurricanes without a pricey ticket, Friday’s downtown celebration will serve as a worthy appetizer.
Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest is the precursor to Saturday’s Stadium Series game at Carter-Finley Stadium. The event will feature Hurricanes alumni, photo opportunities with The Stanley Cup, street hockey games, a Ferris wheel, live music, entertainment and fireworks to cap it off!
Full list of food trucks, music, activities
The event lasts from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is free to attend on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.
Huge Hurricanes fan Gov. Roy Cooper sounded the siren to start the event.
The Hurricanes are undefeated when Cooper sounds the siren. While he won’t be sounding the siren Saturday night, he’s hoping it will give the Canes some luck ahead of time.
Fan favorites and former Hurricanes players such as Mike Commodore, Chad LaRose, Justin Williams, Bates Battaglia and Erik Cole will be on hand to sign autographs. Stormy will be there, too!
Complete Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest activities
- Two stages of live music
- Street hockey
- Beer stations
- Art activations
- Photo booths
- Food trucks
- Fireworks
- Drone light show
- Ferris wheel
- Inflatables
- Kid’s activities
- Ludicrous wing challenge
Dozens of food trucks and beer stations will be on hand. Here’s a list of places to park downtown if you’re going.
Lots of mascots will there including Muddy the Mudcat, Wool E. Bull and Mr. Wuf!
- 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Meet the Stampede of Love Mini Horses at the Planet Fitness Zone on East Martin Street
- 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Get your picture with The Stanley Cup at City Plaza
- 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Hurricanes Alumni Autographs (Justin Williams, Bates Battaglia, Shane Willis, Erik Cole, and Aaron Ward) at City Plaza
- 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Hurricanes Alumni Autographs (Mike Commodore, Chad LaRose, Jesse Boulerice, and Steve Rice) at City Plaza
- 5 p.m. NC Icepack Street Hockey Scrimmage at the Wegmans Zone on West Martin Street.
- 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. Meet NCFC Players and Coach (Garrett McLaughlin, Mikey Maldonado, and Head Coach John Bradford) at the Planet Fitness Zone on East Martin Street
- 5:30 p.m. Buffalo wing challenge at City Plaza stage
- 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Meet NC Courage Players Haley Hopkins and Olivia Wingate the Planet Fitness Zone on East Martin Street
- 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. Drone light shows at Capitol stage
- 9 p.m. Fireworks and drone light show finale at Capitol stage
There will be live music throughout the day on two stages.