Join me for the grand 2-day celebration in downtown Raleigh this Friday. It's all a part of the $1 Billion investment in the transformation of Raleigh. At the center of the transformation in downtown Raleigh is the opening of the Raleigh Convention Center.

The celebration has been tapped as Raleigh Wide Open. Street entertainment, food booths, live music and fireworks are just part of the fun planned for the outdoor festival. Entertainment highlights include Arrested Development and Chuck Berry on Friday. On Saturday Lou Gramm of Foreigner and Soul Asylum will perform live.

Besides the entertainment this is a culmination of years of planning. Around the Convention Center are thriving shops, cafes, museums, galleries, and plenty of hotels. Across from the convention Center is our very own 4 Theatre Performing Arts Center.

The convention center itself is fascinating. A $221 Million project. The Center includes a total of 500,000 Square Feet, a 900 Car Parking Garage, All-Wireless tech savvy center, incredible ballroom and much more. Just watch the video for details.

One of the most dramatic changes to the new downtown center is the $1M Shimmer Wall donated by Cree & Associates. I hear that people almost wreck the first time they see it driving by it. During the Grand Opening Celebration the Shimmer Wall will be completely lit up.

The Convention Center is just one more statement that our city has truly made the transition to a city that has it all.