Good afternoon, Raleigh. How do you make a Kleenex dance?

Put a little boogie in it! 🤧

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

This year’s North Carolina State Fair drew 946,811 visitors, a surprising dip from 998,926 in 2024. That’s still above 2023’s rain-impacted 926,425 but well short of the million-plus benchmark the fair hasn’t reached since 2017.

The drop came despite nearly ideal conditions, with sunny skies and comfortable 60s–70s temperatures throughout the 10-day run. Officials pointed to smiling crowds, a record-setting 2,244.5-pound pumpkin, and more than 150,000 meals donated on Hunger Relief Day as other signs of success. Rising costs may have played a role, as higher prices often dampen spending on extras like fair food and attractions

The Soccer Tournament (TST), the international 7v7 event with equal $1 million prizes for men’s and women’s champions, will remain at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary through 2029. The extension is supported by a state grant reimbursing up to $6.8 million in eligible expenses. TST has quickly become a major draw, with nearly 2,000 participants and 51,730 attendees in 2025 — a 23% jump from last year.

This year’s event generated $14.7 million in direct economic impact and more than $547,000 in local tax revenue. Since 2024, TST has created nearly $24 million in total impact for Cary and Wake County. Past stars have included Carli Lloyd, Luis Nani, Hope Solo, and JJ Watt. Organizers also confirmed that the youth-focused Cary Cup will continue alongside the main tournament each year.

The Raleigh Convention Center has released designs for its long-awaited expansion, a 288,000-square-foot, three-story building that will replace the current Red Hat Amphitheater site. The $397.5 million project, funded by the Raleigh-Wake hospitality tax, will bring the center’s total footprint to nearly 800,000 square feet.

While original plans called for doubling the facility, budget limits led to a smaller but more flexible design focused on meeting rooms, conference space, and courts for sporting events rather than exhibit halls. Construction delays mean the project will open in 2029, after the 600-room Omni Hotel in 2028 and the relocated Red Hat Amphitheater in 2027. City leaders believe the new space will help Raleigh recapture events lost to larger markets like Charlotte and Atlanta while better serving mid-size conventions.

LM Restaurants is transforming the former Carolina Ale House in Glenwood South into Smash Social Club, opening next month. The 9,600-square-foot venue will feature beer pong, pingpong, shuffleboard, and electric darts, along with private event spaces like the Paddle Room.

Guests can also enjoy a 26-seat bar, TVs for sports, and an outdoor gaming area. The menu will highlight shareable bites such as cornbread bites, Korean wings, pizzas, and taco flights, paired with craft cocktails and local brews. With Smash, LM Restaurants adds another entertainment-driven hotspot to Raleigh’s growing Glenwood South district.

View of Cameron Village (now Village District), 1960.

Friday

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Saturday

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Sunday

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P.S. You are not a fashion icon…

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