Thousands of fans show up to Red Hat Amphitheater despite rain for Canes watch party

The rain did not stop fans from showing up at the Red Hat Amphitheater on Thursday to watch the Carolina Hurricanes take on the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, tied 2-2. 

"I know folks in Vegas are watching, folks in Raleigh are watching, and it's really cool to bring it all together and say that's our home," said Quin Rollar, a Hurricanes fan who helps get Red Hat ready for concerts.

In downtown Raleigh, the Hurricanes' official watch party was hosted at Red Hat Amphitheater.

The Canes moved the watch party to the venue after seeing the size of the crowds during the watch parties for the Canes' first two games of the series at Moore Square.

Officials told WRAL News on Thursday that the Red Hat was prepared for 5,000 to 6,000 people.  Several watch parties took place across the Triangle for fans who could not make it to Red Hat.   

"[Red Hat] has got everything. Bathrooms, concessions, all of that," said Bill King, president of Downtown Raleigh Alliance. "It allows us to accommodate a bigger crowd than the park could, as these games continue to increase the importance and drama."

In addition to spotty showers, fans braved intense summer heat to support the Canes during this Stanley Cup Final. Thursday was a WRAL Weather Alert Day due to dangerous heat and isolated thunderstorms. Highs climbed to 101 degrees in Raleigh, breaking the record set back in 1914.

According to Drinkaware, consuming alcohol can increase the risk of heat stroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration during the summer. 

Click here to see the different symptoms in heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

It can also reduce the amount of sun exposure needed for sunburn to occur.

Alcohol is a diuretic. This causes a bit of a feedback loop.

It encourages kidneys to get rid of fluid. That, in tandem with increased sweat from the heat, leads to more dehydration.

This means we start to feel the effects of alcohol more, which - for some people - leads them to drink more. 

The city of Raleigh said they will hold the watch party, "rain or shine."

"We'll have cooling stations, we've got extra large fans that push cool air out, and we have refillable water stations," said Kate Jensen, Red Hat Amphitheater's director of marketing. "We're used to packing out 6,000-fan shows, so we'll have the security measures in place."

What is allowed:

• One factory sealed bottle of water up to one gallon in size, or an empty, reusable water bottle up to one gallon in size that can be refilled.
• A raincot and/or poncho
• Small blankets
• Portable chargers
• Handheld fans
• A small clutch or a clear bag

What's not allowed:

• Lawn chairs

• Outside food

• Coolers
• Umbrellas

• Aerosol bugspray or sunscreen

WRAL reached out to Red Hat regarding contingency plans and safety protocols for the watch party and did not immediately hear back. The Raleigh Police Department shared the following tips on how fans can stay safe either on their way to their preferred watch party or at the venue:

• Be attentive while driving and follow all traffic and parking instructions.
• Give yourself extra time for the drive and for locating parking. 
• Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement officers or security personnel immediately.
• Have a communication and contingency plan in case you get separated from your group.
• Avoid confrontations and be courteous to others.
• Stay informed on weather conditions.
  • Be prepared for potential rainstorms.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Look out for one another.

Not only will there will be plenty of Caniacs out and about, but this weekend will be especially busy downtown with high school graduations starting Thursday. 

If you are planning on heading downtown on Thursday, keep in mind that these high school graduation ceremonies will be taking place:

Thursday, June 11

• 8 a.m.: Enloe Magnet High, Raleigh Convention Center.

• 10 a.m.: Broughton Magnet High, Holliday Gymnasium at Broughton. Livestream on YouTube.

• 12 p.m.: Garner Magnet High, Raleigh Convention Center. 

• 4 p.m.: Millbrook Magnet High School, Raleigh Convention Center. 

• 8 p.m.: Apex Friendship High, Raleigh Convention Center. 

Join fellow Carolina Hurricanes fans on the Great Lawn at Downtown Cary Park for a playoff watch party.

The park will host watch parties for:

• Game 5, Thursday at 8 p.m.

• Game 6, Sunday at 8 p.m.

• Game 7 (if necessary), Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. Beer, wine and other refreshments will be available for purchase at The Bark Bar. Outside alcohol is not permitted. 

The event is free and open to the public.

If you prefer to beat the heat, check out one of the watch parties at you local sports bar.

Carolina Hurricanes' bars 

The Carolina Hurricanes have a list of Canes Bars.   

Carolina Ale House (Multiple locations)

With locations across the Triangle, this is a great option for gameday viewing. They have a large selection of beer on tap, plus a diverse menu of burgers, wings, pizza and sandwiches. The burgers are a must-try! It is great for families as well. Plus the concept has a fun history!

If you want to go to an official Carolina Hurricanes Watch Party, there are a few planned for the regular season and more will likely be booked for the playoffs. Official Watch Parties happen at Caroline Ale House locations.

This sports bar has a 16-foot TV wall, plus more televisions around the restaurant so you don't miss any games. 

Address: 1413 Kelly Road, Apex

This restaurant and bar has been open since 2015. It is one of the official Canes Bars, which means they will always show the game! 

Address: 154 E Chatham Street, Cary

In the former home of Beer Study, this locally owned bar and art gallery has watch parties and a nice outdoor seating. 

Address: 106a N. Graham St., Chapel Hill

Located in the historic five points intersection in downtown Durham, this restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. The patio is enclosed and heated when the weather isn't favorable. Address: 427 W Main St, Durham

This Fayetteville spot has daily drink specials and hosts watch parties for Canes games.

Address: 2803 Raeford Road , Fayetteville

This dog-friendly bottle shop and bar is a great spot to enjoy a Canes game.

Address: 1625 N. Main Street, Suite 133  Fuquay-Varina

The Local (formerly Backyard Bistro) is just a short walk from the Lenovo Center and has hosted lots of hungry Hurricanes and Wolfpack fans before big games over the years. The restaurant and bar offer 12 big-screen HD televisions and lots of smaller screens scattered throughout the space. There are special menus on game days offered to get fans headed to the game in and out efficiently completed.

Address: 1235 Hurricane Alley Way, Raleigh

The PR was founded Feb. 27, 1951, and has been a favorite of N.C. State fans ever since! It is also a WRAL Voters' Choice Award winner for best neighborhood bar. With a scratch-made menu that includes some of the best burgers in town. The restaurant has grown and even been recognized by Wine Spectator with an award of excellence for its wine selection.

Address: 105 Oberlin Road, Raleigh

This cocktail and whiskey bar is a good option for Canes games. 

Address: 3055 Medlin Drive, Raleigh

Located in the heart of the Glenwood South district, this bar is owned and operated by Bates Battaglia, a former Carolina Hurricane, and Anthony Battaglia, a former professional hockey player. They were the Amazing Race 22 grand prize winners. This bar has a massive front and back patio and a 40 foot long main bar inside.

Address: 425 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh

Located near The Factory, this bar and taproom has outdoor and indoor seating. 

Address: 1839 South Main Street, Suite 600,Wake Forest

Sports & Social, a sports and gaming bar and restaurant, is located in a 19,000-square-foot space in Cary's Fenton development. It features a 42-foot LED media wall so guests can watch multiple games and sporting events at once. In addition to a made-from-scratch menu, the venue also hosts live music, entertainment, arcade games, shuffle puck and skeeball. They also host regular watch parties for big sporting events.

Address: Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary

Gather around the horseshoe-style bar crafted with reclaimed wood from a 158-year-old barn in eastern North Carolina and enjoy more than 22 draft beers on tap. The food menu is also filled with everything from wings to Red Zinfandel Braised Ribs and My Way Cajun Chicken.

Address: 522 St Marys St., Raleigh and 301 W Center St., Holly Springs

This family-friendly bar and grill is open seven days a week. The menu has your typical sports bar fare, including wings, loaded nachos and potato skins!

Address: 1625 North Main Street, Fuquay-Varina and 546 West Church St., Angier, 

This restaurant and sports bar has everything could want: burgers, Buffalo wings, barbecue and high-definition TVs.

Address: 837 Bass Pro Lane, Cary

With plentiful options, Cleveland Draft House keeps beer at heart

This sports bar has two locations in Durham. It's a great place to watch a game, plus they have cornhole, darts, pool table and 13 large high-definition TVs.

Address: 1725 Carpenter Fletcher Road and 4707 Hillsborough Road in Durham

This sports bar is known for its great wings and burgers! If you like a little heat, try the Burning Down the House burger, which comes topped with fried jalapenos, cajun seasoning, pepper jack cheese and chipotle aioli.

Address: 1195 W Chatham St, Cary and 1700 Center St, Apex

We are big fans of their pub fries and jumbo chicken wings, but they are also known for their sandwiches which include a corned beef Reuben.