Raleigh to host NHL Fan Fair as part of ASG festivities

NEW YORK – NHL Fan Fair™, the official NHL fan festival for the 2011 NHL® All-Star Weekend, will come to the Raleigh Convention Center, January 28 to 30, the National Hockey League (NHL) announced today.  Occupying more than 150,000 square feet of the Raleigh Convention Center in downtown Raleigh, NHL Fan Fair will offer hockey fans of all ages three fun-filled days of interactive games and attractions, special appearances, trophy and memorabilia displays, live TV and radio broadcasts, pin trading and trading card zones, music, food, official NHL All-Star merchandise and dozens of other dynamic activities. Tickets for NHL Fan Fair are available for purchase starting today via Ticketmaster and at various locations throughout Raleigh.

NHL Fan Fair will be part of the NHL® All-Star Wide Open outdoor series that was announced today. What started in 2006 to mark the reopening of Fayetteville Street, the NHL All-Star Wide Open will also include a series of free concerts at the Amphitheater High Stick Stage and a street party festival on Fayetteville and Cabarrus Streets in the style of the popular Raleigh Wide Open.

"NHL Fan Fair and NHL All-Star Wide Open will give all fans a chance to be part of the All-Star excitement," said Don Renzulli, NHL Senior Vice President of Events. "There will be no shortage of programming, attractions and activities for fans of all ages."

NHL Fan Fair will open to the public on Friday, Jan. 28, from 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 30, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tickets purchased between Dec. 8 and Jan. 27 will be $8 for adults and children.  Tickets purchased after Jan. 27 and at the door will be $10 per person. Children under the age of two will be admitted for free. Once inside, fans may enjoy all the attractions for no additional cost.

Starting Wednesday, Dec. 8, tickets will be available at the following locations:

• Ticketmaster: Log on to ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000 *additional fees apply
• RBC Center: Visit the box office before or after Carolina Hurricanes home games from Monday- Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; walk-up window purchases only
• The Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts: Visit the box office from Monday– Friday, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. or visit www.progressenergycenter.com

For more information, fans should visit nhl.com/fanfair.

The 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover will mark the first time Carolina has hosted NHL All-Star activities.  The League's mid-season spectacular will take place Saturday, January 29 and Sunday, January 30 and will include Honda NHL SuperSkills® and the 58th NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover at RBC Center.  Live television coverage of both nights will be provided by VERSUS in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada.  The Honda NHL SuperSkills will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, and the 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover will start at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.