2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: Lifestyle

Urban Air Adventure Park

Best Place for Family Fun

Any parent who’s ever had kids at home on a day when the weather doesn’t allow for outdoor activity knows all too well how Urban Air Adventure Park can save the day. Though it’s far more than just indoor trampolining, the multiple performance trampolines at Urban Air will keep children of all ages — plus those young at heart — bouncing for hours.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. With activities like a high-end immersive virtual reality simulation, a drop zone attraction that lets jumpers try out new tricks thanks to the security of a soft-landing inflatable airbag, a zip line experience, climbing walls, ropes course, tubes playground, warrior course for the ninjas out there, and much more, Urban Air has all the action and activity in one safe space.

Whether as a family day out, meeting spot for friends, or birthday party destination, Urban Air has everything needed to bounce, leap, and soar all under a single roof.

urbanair.com

Ovies & Giglio

Best Local Podcast

“Sports really brings everyone in the community together,” says Joe Ovies, co-host of the Ovies & Giglio podcast. “Whether it’s arguing about rivalries or getting behind the Carolina Hurricanes … I’ve long argued that the Triangle is the most unique sports landscape in the country.” He continues that with “three major universities playing high-level college sports, a Stanley Cup contender NHL franchise, and a community of transplants who just want to talk about the NFL, we really can delve into just about any topic here. And when NC State goes on a Final Four run or the Carolina Hurricanes make a playoff push, this area really embraces the fun.”

With loyal fans Ovies describes as “along for the ride,” the audio podcast, along with the Ovies & Giglio YouTube channel, aligns with how Western Wake sports fans are consuming their sports content: It’s on demand, has timestamps for people to easily get to the topic they want to hear about, and it’s local. Ovies explains, “While national sports talk does a great job covering the NFL, they’re not spending their Monday discussing the NC State and North Carolina game from Saturday or what the Carolina Hurricanes should do in goal.”

So when it comes to what’s next, Ovies says, it’s “continuing to grow the audience. Thanks to awards like this, it puts us in front of sports fans that might not realize we’re the podcast they’ve been missing in their daily routine.”

Brewgaloo

Best Local Event or Festival

Left to right: Anna Brown, Seth Crossno, and Jennifer Martin

“Brewgaloo has become the largest craft beer festival,” says Jennifer Martin, executive director of Shop Local Raleigh, “so this award goes to all the breweries, vendors, sponsors, attendees, and everyone that’s a part of making Brewgaloo what it is today!”

As Martin explains about the festival that started on Fayetteville Street: “With the event spotlighting all NC craft breweries, there’s no better place for it than right here in Wake County with the State Capitol at one end and Raleigh’s City Plaza at the other.”

During an event that spans 12 hours, over 10,850 gallons — or 86,600 pints — of beer will be poured. So despite perceptions that craft beer may be losing its appeal and that other festivals are shutting down due to lack of attendance, “With Brewgaloo,” Martin says, “we are seeing the opposite, and we like to defy what the ‘experts’ are saying.”

Featuring more than 100 North Carolina craft breweries, 50 food trucks, 45 local vendors, 8 bands, a DJ, and more, the event is free and open to the public and will also offer nonalcoholic beer along with kombucha, hard seltzer, and cider.

According to Martin, Brewgaloo attendees are “proud to support local,” and love NC craft beer, local music, and “having a good time — meeting new people and seeing old friends — and it’s such a happy day for so many and great to feel the energy and vibe that they bring.”

shoplocalraleigh.org/brewgaloo

More From Our Jan-Feb 2025 Issue

• Out & About in Wake County: January/February 2025
• The Man Behind the Mic
• New Year, New Adventures
• On Trend: Assisted Stretching
• On Trend: Gut Health
• Small Business Spotlight: The Curative Wellness Boutique
• Erica Chats: You: The Biggest Project You’ll Ever Work On!
• Brodeto Feels Like Floating in the Adriatic on a Weeknight
• Pay It Forward: Roots with Purpose
• Celebrated Spirits: Mild Green
• Celebrated Spirits: It Girl
• Garden Adventurer: Seeing Red
• 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: Restaurants
• 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: Lifestyle
• 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: Services
• 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards: Shopping
• 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards