RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) You can run through the long list with Jen Martin. First Night Raleigh, Artsplosure, St. Patrick s, The Pride Festival, Bluegrass, she ticked off. All of them canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19. It s not only frustrating for event organizers; the general public loves these events and this city is a big city that does events, said Martin, executive director of Shop Local Raleigh (SLR), the non-profit booster behind Raleigh s Christmas Parade and Brewgaloo, the city s annual celebration of North Carolina beer brewers.
But this week, Raleigh City Council began laying the groundwork for a comeback for the city s events scene. Starting April 1, the city will allow special events on a case-by-case basis. The move comes after Governor Roy Cooper eased COVID safety restrictions in his latest executive order. But, the measure still caps outside gatherings at 50 people.
Updated January 1, 2021 12:17 a.m. EST
By Kathy Hanrahan, Out and About editor
Raleigh, N.C. With many New Year s Eve celebrations canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the year 2020 came to a close amid soggy weather and less fanfare.
The streets of downtown Raleigh are usually packed for the annual First Night New Year s Eve celebration. The famous acorn, which is dropped at 7 p.m. and midnight, is the centerpiece in City Plaza.
But this year, First Night Raleigh was canceled due to the pandemic, leaving the acorn to find a new home.
The acorn, made by sculptor David Benson, is displayed as part of an installation by artist Nate Sheaffer at
Updated December 27, 2020 5:50 p.m. EST
Raleigh, N.C. The traditional First Night Raleigh New Year s Eve celebration was canceled this year due to COVID-19 concerns, but there will still be lots of early evenings First Night fun at
What s different this year
Instead of celebrating on the streets of downtown Raleigh on Dec. 31, First Night Raleigh has teamed up with the WRAL Nights of Lights for two nights (Dec. 30 and 31) featuring the famous copper acorn (made by sculptor David Benson) on display amid an art installation by artist Nate Sheaffer.
Sheaffer is teaming up with artist Mary Carter Taub for another display, the 2020 Year in Review, which will only be available at Nights of Lights on those dates.
Updated December 16, 2020 9:56 a.m. EST
By Kathy Hanrahan, Out and About editor
Raleigh, N.C. I first met WRAL s Ken Smith when I was working on as an online producer on nights and weekends. Ken was the weekend evening anchor for many years and would often come back from his breaks with a fresh pie from Whole Foods to share with the staff.
Soon, I got to hear that famous Ken Smith laugh. It is distinctive and echos throughout the newsroom.
Then, we bonded over our love of the N.C. State Fair. I ve been covering the fair for nearly my entire time at the station and I always end up hanging out with Ken and checking out new food. He introduced me to Al s Fries.