Ginny from the Blog

While wandering around downtown Raleigh during this weekend’s Raleigh Wide Open celebration, I couldn’t help but think that the Capital City has arrived. With the opening of the city’s new $221 million convention center (sorry, I can’t stop dropping that dollar figure) the celebration felt like a debutante ball for Raleigh.

Can you believe that since the beginning of 2006, 53 bars, restaurants and nightclubs have opened in downtown Raleigh? That’s according to the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, which tracks that sort of thing.

Here are the highlights from Raleigh Wide Open:

*Convention Center Opening.

The public got to see what its tax dollars went toward. Residents and out-of-towners alike wandered around the massive exhibition hall and roamed the other rooms and halls. The International Festival shared the hall with local businesses, providing an eclectic mashup that featured everything from Henna tattoos to free Segway demos.

*Street Festival

Fayetteville Street and several of her arteries were lined with vendors selling everything from deep-fried corn to wooden lawn ornaments. Parents pushed kids in strollers, a small circus train pulled families around and a mime entertained passers-by.

*Live Music

Ok, I admit I barely caught any of the bands, so I can’t offer any solid reviews. But Foreigner’s Lou Gramm seemed a hit with the crowd he drew Saturday night. And Chuck Berry’s almost rained-out performance received a favorable review.

*Parade

I’m a sucker for a cliche parade, and Saturday’s march down Fayetteville Street didn’t disappoint. The parade was incredibly short, featuring all the local news stations, a couple politicians, one band and a few businesses and nonprofits.

*The Beer Tent

I can’t believe the beer tasting wasn’t better advertised. Tucked beside the Wachovia building on Hargett Street was a tent filled with more than a dozen brewers from around the country. Ten dollars bought you a sample glass and a hole-punch card that allowed you eight samples. But most pourers weren’t stamping the cards, so the samples flowed.

Check out more of my pics.

I must complain about one small, petty thing. On Saturday afternoon I tried to go into the Marriott to show my friend the fancy lobby. But we were stopped by two bodyguards who looked like they should be looking out for Brittney Spears and not us Raleigh lovers. They told us only guests were allowed (even though I clearly wasn’t a guest when I toured the hotel a couple weeks ago).

Now I completely understand that they probably didn’t want a bunch of drunk people wandering around their halls, dirtying up their bathrooms and the like. But the city contributed $20 million in taxes to help foster the construction of the hotel. So I think that’s enough of a taxpayer contribution to allow the public inside for a quick tour. I’m only slightly bitter though.

What was your favorite part of Raleigh Wide Open (or any complaints that can be used for improvement next year)?

Tomorrow is a big day for downtown Raleigh. The $221 million convention center officially opens. A noon ribbon-cutting starts things off, followed by two days of celebration with Raleigh Wide Open. Check out the full list of free events, which includes a Chuck Berry concert and more.

I’ll pretty much be living downtown for the next two days because I don’t want to miss a thing. If you’re going to check out the convention center this weekend, be sure to stop by the 30THREADS/MyNC.com booths. They’ll be in front of the motorcoaches parked in the 150,000 square-foot exhibit hall.

But if you’re stuck at work tomorrow and can’t see the ribbon cutting, don’t worry, we’re bringing it to you. We’ll be live streaming the event at noon tomorrow on the 30THREADS live page. We’ll also be providing updates throughout the afternoon.

Then on Saturday, I’ll be back again in the morning and early afternoon. So stop by and say hello. Don’t be a stranger.