Carolina Hurricanes Opening Weekend Promotions: Street Parties, Superheroes, and More

Finally, we’re almost there. The Carolina Hurricanes will become the NHL’s 30th and final team to make their home debut tomorrow night against the New York Rangers. As always, the team’s promotions department has gone to the well to give fans plenty to look forward to both Friday and Sunday, when the Canes host the Philadelphia Flyers on Super Hero Night.

The South Plaza block party begins Friday at 5:30 p.m. on the plaza between PNC Arena and Carter-Finley Stadium, featuring the usual assortment of inflatable bounce houses, street hockey, and the like. However, the block party isn’t just for kids this year: there will be an adult section, with cornhole games, a giant game of Jenga, and — ahem — some adult beverages available for purchase.

Doors open into the arena at 6:00, and you’ll receive a hat on the way into your seat, which you’ll undoubtedly rid yourself of when Jay McClement scores a hat trick ten minutes into the game. Remember that this is the first of the Canes’ 7:30 Friday starts this season, so everything will be a half hour later than usual, including the warmups and introductions:

Also, in a move that is certainly unlikely to earn howls of derision from our friends north of the border, NASCAR’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be sounding the siren. Go ahead, Canada; do your worst. We can take it.

Meanwhile, make plans to return on Sunday, as the Canes celebrate Halloween appropriately against a team wearing orange. Wear a costume to the game and enter the costume contest at the fan services kiosk outside section 109. Another block party will be held before the 5:00 start, with a chance to meet upwards of 20 superheroes and movie characters played by members of the 105th Squad.

Need tickets? Want a sweet T-shirt? Go here to get tickets, or if you’re a season ticket member, to buy your own shirt. After the game, kids 14 and under are invited onto the ice to go trick-or-treating with members of the Canes promotions staff (and, obviously, Stormy).

The release from the team about the opening weekend festivities is below.

‘CANES ANNOUNCE DETAILS FOR OPENING WEEKEND

Dale Earnhardt Jr. to sound siren before Friday’s home opener vs. Rangers

The Carolina Hurricanes will open their 41-game home schedule this weekend against a pair of Metropolitan Division opponents. On Friday, NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr., will bring the Hurricanes onto the PNC Arena ice as he sounds the hurricane warning siren prior to the team’s home opener against the New York Rangers at 7:30 p.m. The Philadelphia Flyers will visit on Sunday at 5 p.m. as PNC Arena hosts Super Hero Night, and an arena-wide Halloween celebration.

Prior to Friday’s game, fans can enjoy a pre-game party on the South Plaza outside of PNC Arena, presented by Brueprint Brewing Company. The party will include live music from the 120 Minute Band, four interactive inflatables for kids, street hockey, food and beverage and more. New for 2016-17 South Plaza parties will be a section geared toward adults with games like corn hole, Kan Jam, giant Jenga, hockey sauce kits, ladder ball, giant checkers and more. The South Plaza party will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Doors for Friday’s game will open at 6 p.m., and, upon entering PNC Arena, all fans will receive a limited edition Carolina Hurricanes hat presented by PNC Bank. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 7:15 p.m. to enjoy CanesVision’s pregame show, player introductions and Earnhardt sounding the siren. Following the game, fans are invited onto the ice for a special photo opportunity commemorating the 2016-17 home opener for Snap Shot Friday. Limited tickets remain for Friday’s game.

On Sunday, the opening-weekend festivities continue surrounding the Hurricanes’ game against Philadelphia as PNC Arena hosts Super Hero Night, and an arena-wide Halloween celebration. Fans of all ages are encouraged to enter a costume contest at the kiosk outside of Sections 108-109. At the South Plaza party and on the concourse before the game, fans can interact with approximately 20 super heroes and movie characters portrayed by members of the 105th Squad. Following the game, children 14 and under are invited onto the PNC Arena ice to enjoy trick-or-treat stations. For details about Super Hero Night tickets and to see the specially-designed Super Hero Night t-shirt, please visit http://www.CarolinaHurricanes.com/Superhero.