RALEIGH, N.C. — "North Carolina, come on and raise up."
As the opening lyrics of Petey Pablo's iconic anthem blasted through downtown Raleigh, an estimated 150,000 fans sang along at the top of their lungs, transforming the city into a sea of red during the Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup championship celebration.
Air horns echoed through the streets, marching bands energized the crowd and chants of "Let's Go Canes" erupted from every direction as supporters packed sidewalks, parking decks and intersections throughout downtown. According to city officials, the celebration marked the largest crowd ever gathered in downtown Raleigh history.
The championship parade began at 11 a.m. near Hillsborough and St. Mary's streets before making its way through downtown and ending at City Plaza on Fayetteville Street about an hour later. Long before the first players appeared, fans lined the parade route dressed in Hurricanes jerseys, waving team flags and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Stanley Cup.
Wherever you looked, there was red.
Families gathered along barricades, fans crowded onto parking decks for a better view and supporters filled every available space along the parade route. The excitement was impossible to miss as thousands celebrated a championship that united communities across North Carolina.
One of the most memorable sights came from Hurricanes fan Megan Collins of Knightdale, who attended the parade dressed as the Stanley Cup itself.
"I'm losing my voice. I'm losing my mind," Collins said.
For Collins, the championship celebration represented a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"It's been one of the most incredible experiences of my whole life," she said.
Throughout the crowd, fans shared stories about what the moment meant to them. One supporter reflected on attending the Hurricanes' Stanley Cup celebration 20 years ago alongside his father when the franchise captured its first championship in 2006. Being able to return two decades later and experience another championship parade with his dad, he said, meant the world to him.
That sense of family and shared history was present throughout the day. Parents hoisted children onto their shoulders, friends embraced after spotting players and longtime fans reflected on years of supporting the franchise through both victories and disappointments.
As the parade rolled through downtown, air horns sounded continuously while chants of "Let's Go Canes" echoed from block to block. Marching bands filled the streets with music, adding to an atmosphere that felt more like a citywide festival than a traditional parade.
The loudest moments came when players proudly lifted the Stanley Cup into the air. Each appearance of the iconic trophy triggered another wave of cheers from the massive crowd, with fans screaming, waving and recording the moment on their phones.
Many supporters watching from parking decks leaned over railings to wave at players below, while those along the streets stretched for a better view of the championship team.
The celebration continued at City Plaza with a team rally featuring players, coaches and special guests. Before the Hurricanes took the stage, Gov. Josh Stein delivered remarks that generated one of the day's biggest reactions.
"The next time you go to a Canes game, you are going to feel the Storm Surge before you even hit the parking lot," Stein told the crowd. "Because by the power vested in me as governor, that stretch of Edwards Mill Road is now known as Hurricanes Highway."
The announcement was met with loud cheers as fans celebrated both the championship and the team's impact on North Carolina.
For many in attendance, the day still felt surreal.
I am still in disbelief," one fan said while waiting for the rally to begin.
That sentiment could be heard throughout downtown Raleigh as supporters soaked in every moment of the historic celebration.
The Hurricanes' championship run brought together fans from across the state, and the record-setting turnout demonstrated just how deeply the franchise has become woven into North Carolina's identity. What was once considered an unconventional hockey market has developed into one of the NHL's most passionate fan bases.
As the rally concluded and fans slowly made their way home, the sounds of celebration remained. Air horns continued to blare, chants still echoed through the streets and groups of fans lingered downtown, unwilling to let the moment end.
For one unforgettable afternoon, Raleigh belonged to the Hurricanes. Through the music, the marching bands, the sea of red and the thunderous chants of "Let's Go Canes," the championship celebration became more than a parade. It became a memory shared by generations of fans, including one father and son who, 20 years later, found themselves celebrating hockey history together once again.
