Here’s a little something that should be of interest to people who traveled to Raleigh, NC during the 12 years that IBMA hosted their annual World of Bluegrass convention in the city.
The facility where the bulk of the events took place, the Raleigh Convention Center, is being dramatically expanded, adding another nearly 300,000 square feet of space to the downtown center, located just a block from two major hotels. Another 300 hotel rooms are being added in other adjacent new construction.
WOB attendees will recall that the weekend IBMA Bluegrass Live! festival was held just across the street at the Red Hat Amphitheater, which is being relocated a block to the south as its original location is where the new expansion building will be built.
If you examine the photo above, you’ll see the existing convention center along the right edge, connecting to the new building closer to the middle of the image by a covered walkway. A second covered walkway is not visible, but both are being built of clear materials so that those walking across can experience the famous “shimmer wall” at eye level.
The relocated Red Hat Amphitheater can be seen just south of the new building with greatly expanded backstage facilities.
IBMA may be gone, but many of us hold cherished memories of the times at the Raleigh Convention Center during World of Bluegrass 2013 through 2024.
You’ll hardly be able to recognize the site when it’s finished!
