I should have finished the title of this blog, "...is just like every other street fair you've been to in Raleigh."
But this time, going to a street fair in Raleigh was different. At least, it was for me.
I know Raleigh like the back of my hand; I have made it my mission to call this place home and know all the places to go, where to park during a festival (usually the deck across from the Lincoln--I live off New Bern Avenue and so it's easy to get out of the city over that way;) I try to learn of or at least get to visit the city's hidden gem restaurants. I am particularly fond of the mom-and-pop places, the ones that haven't changed in years. That's why I loved the old Clyde Cooper's so much. But usually, I go see these things with my fiance--I show him the city and why I love the cool places I do. This time, though, it was different, because we got to show his kids how great a city Raleigh really can be.
I've learned over the years here that some people don't like to leave their little areas. Apexers, for example, often like to hang in Apex. Garner and Fuquay, same thing. Those cities all have wonderful attributes, so I can see why they'd want just hang out there. Obviously, this is just my opinion based on folks I've met over the years. But big events bring them to the city, like July 4th. Or, First Night. Then, they get to experience the awesomeness of Raleigh. Only, they don't. Many hang out on Fayetteville Street and don't think to explore. Again, this is based on my observations and from years of working at these festivals and talking to people.
On New Year's Eve, we parked at Seaboard Station and took the R Line. It was the best use of the free downtown circulator bus, ever. Because, afterward, while people sat in traffic in parking garages and on Wilmington street, we rode the bus and were back to our car pretty quickly. Don't worry, Seaboard Station peeps, we parked there but completely patronized one of your restaurants afterward, so it all works out. Our extensive time trying to figure out Raleigh over the years worked in our favor.
What I love, though, is that yes, we went to a street fair. But I think the most awesome part of the night was not dropping the acorn from a crane or seeing fireworks (they have those July 4th downtown, too) it was taking my fiance's kids to Mecca, a place that he and I love and frequent.
You may have been by it a zillion times. You may not have been in. You SHOULD go in. Mecca looks exactly as it did in the 30s when it opened as a luncheonette. They have down-home food that is great and pretty cheap, plus they serve beer. The people that work there are fun and nice and generally awesome. Why would you eat street meat when you can go inside and get warm at Mecca? We had just wanted to pop in and get the kids a snack, a drink, and a beer each for ourselves. Mecca was the perfect place and for so many reasons other than snacks.
The kids were amazed at the place; my fiance's son was obsessed with "what's upstairs?!?" (Answer: more seating and the bathroom.) I was really glad we took them in there, because they got to experience one of the great places we go regularly that isn't a bar, and they could see how awesome our little city could be. We split fries, had something to drink, then went outside in time to see the acorn drop.
The best part of the night, hands down, was not New Year's Eve. It was seeing someone else enjoy Raleigh the way we enjoy Raleigh. Not for street fairs, or popcorn, or deep fried whatever plus fireworks and cover bands. It was heading into mom-and-pop places, having conversations, and teaching them there's more to Raleigh than a street fair, which is what they usually come to Fayetteville Street for. They loved it, and I'm so glad. Best last night of 2013/First Night 2014 ever.
Alli
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