Plus, Hopscotch schedule, top barbecue, pickleball spots.
 
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Today’s Forecast

82º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:35 a.m. | Sunset 8:02 p.m.

 

💵 Wake County’s 2023 visitation buzz

By the numbers: Dissecting Wake County’s 2023 visitation figures
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Wake County saw quite the increase in visitors in 2023. | Photo by RALtoday
18.5 million. That’s how many visitors Wake County welcomed in 2023, according to Wake County’s annual report.

2023 saw a 3.9% increase in visitation over 2022. These visitors spent a record-breaking $3.2 billion, an 8.1% increase from the previous year. Food and beverage sales accounted for $913 million of this figure while lodging accounted for $790 million.

From this $3.2 billion in spending, $307 million in state and local taxes were generated. This spending resulted in the creation and sustainability of 25,000+ tourism and hospitality-related jobs. Additionally, the visitor-generated taxes saved Wake County households $712 in annual taxes.

These tax dollars will help fund updates for high revenue contributors like PNC Arena and Red Hat Amphitheater. School construction, water, sewer, and other local necessities are also partially funded by tourism taxes.
Asked

True or False: Wake County residents saved $111 more in taxes in 2023 than in 2022.
A. True
B. False
Show us the money
 
Events
Friday, Aug. 23
  • Jesse Roper | Friday, Aug. 23 | 9 p.m. | The Pour House Music Hall | $17-$20 | Get dolled up and hear the sweet sounds of the “Any Time of Night” singer.
Saturday, Aug. 24
  • Chocolate Covered Strawberry Class | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Joy Worthy Co. | $59 | Learn how to craft picture perfect, sweet tooth taming chocolate covered strawberries.
  • Canned Wine Tasting | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 1-3:30 p.m. | Westgate Wine Bar | $8-$12 | Taste a crafted selection of canned wines and expand your palette to new bevs.
  • Terrarium Workshop | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Logan’s Garden Shop | $50 | Get your hands dirty with a low stakes terrarium creation class led by an expert.
  • Men Wear Pink Fashion Show & Silent Auction | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 2-4 p.m. | Crabtree | Free | Join the fight against cancer during this free fashion show + silent auction hosted by Crabtree and the American Cancer Society.*
Sunday, Aug. 25
  • Cocktails & Candles | Sunday, Aug. 25 | 1-4 p.m. | CAM Raleigh | $90 | Learn how to make yourself a crafted cocktail and a luxurious candle at the two-in-one workshop.
  • Villains Drag Brunch | Sunday, Aug. 25 | 2 p.m. | Raleigh Improv | $25-$85 | Get a taste of fierceness and fabulosity with this villain-themed drag brunch.
Entry to a lively weekend
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Coming Soon

New oral surgery + implants practice opening this fall

two images of the outside building of vista oral surgery and oral surgeon dr. gregory taylor
The office will be located at 9305 Leesville Rd., Suite 102, + will accept most major insurances, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Delta Dental, and MetLife. | Photos provided by Vista Oral Surgery & Implants
While you may not need oral surgery and implants every day, when the need arises, you’ll want to know you’re in good hands.

Vista Oral Surgery & Implants is opening a new location in Raleigh this fall, bringing with them an expert team led by Dr. Gregory Taylor, a highly-accredited oral surgeon with 20+ years of experience. Services will include:
  • Dental Implants
  • Tooth Extractions
  • Wisdom Teeth Removal
  • Sedation Oral Pathology
  • Pre-prosthetics
  • Bone Grafting
  • And more
You can pre-schedule a consult by calling (833) 233-6672.
Learn more + book an appointment
News Notes
Civic
  • The City of Raleigh, having purchased the former DMV headquarters for $20 million, will host a community event this Saturday, Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to gather input on future uses for the site. Ideas for the new site include affordable housing, retail, and public spaces. (The News & Observer)
Eat
  • Southern Living’s latest list of the South’s top new barbecue spots highlighted Raleigh’s Longleaf Swine and Lechón Latin BBQ. Longleaf Swine, known for its whole hog BBQ, snagged 12th place, while Lechón Latin BBQ, blending Latin flavors with local traditions, secured 21st. Pro tip: Longleaf’s veggie sandwich is just as tasty as the barbecue. (The News & Observer)
Coming Soon
  • Pickles and Play is expanding with new indoor pickleball facilities in Brier Creek and Garner, set to open in early 2025. The Brier Creek location — located at 2201 S. Wilmington St. — will feature eight championship-size courts, while Garner’s will offer seven and a half courts. (Triangle Business Journal)
Concert
  • The 2024 Hopscotch Festival schedule has been released. The schedule details performances, venues, and times for attendees to plan each day accordingly. To further prepare for the three day festival — Thursday, Sept. 5 through Saturday, Sept. 7 — and maximize your good time, check out more must-know details.
Edu
  • Wake County schools will start the year with 235 teaching vacancies, a significant reduction from last year. With 98% of teaching positions filled, the district will use substitutes and internal shifts to cover gaps. Wake also faces 103 instructional assistant vacancies but has improved recruitment through higher pay as a strategy. (News & Observer)
Community
  • Wake County is advancing plans for a north Raleigh drop-in shelter for the homeless, purchasing a former AT&T center for $1.6 million. The facility, costing $6.8 million to convert, will provide up to 98 beds and open in 2025. (WUNC)
Plan Ahead
  • In observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2, the Wake County Register of Deeds and other city + county services will be closed. Online services will be available through the website while any online orders along with other services will be processed Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Finance
  • Good news: Rates are expected to go down soon. Compare fixed-rate loans and HELOCs to find your best way to borrow — calculate your payment.*
Shop
  • These THC gummies tap into the body’s endocannabinoid system and get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.*†
 
Cause

A Pink Pantry is coming to Raleigh

No Woman, No Girl Initiative partners with the City of Raleigh to launch Pink Pantry
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The No Woman, No Girl Initiative provides boots-on-the-ground service to the community. | Photos provided by No Woman, No Girl Initiative
The No Woman, No Girl Initiative has partnered with the City of Raleigh to launch its first Pink Pantry, a permanent location that will provide direct access to hygiene care for women, girls, and families experiencing crisis or homelessness. The location will be near Nash Square Park downtown.

At the Pink Pantry, basic hygiene materials will be provided at no cost. Readily available materials will include hygiene items for hair, oral health, body care and personal feminine hygiene products.

The pantry’s completion is projected to be late this year. Community members can stay up-to-date on the progress by following along on socials.

Learn more on how to donate to the nonprofit and further serve the community.
The Buy

The Buy 8.23.24 (Affiliate)
REI’s Labor Day sale is here. It runs until Monday, Sept. 2 + includes deals like:

⛺ $60 off the REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Tent

☀️ 25% off the ENO SingleNest hammock

🥾 20% off the Danner Mountain 600 insulated hiking boots
More REI deals worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Danyale
From the editor
City Editor Allie and I attended Visit Raleigh’s annual Raleigh Convention meeting, and the session was filled with insights of how much Raleigh is continuing its growth — and it has me thinking, what’s something that’s recently come to Raleigh that you’re proud of? I’d love to know, drop me a line.
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