April Fools!

Unfortunately, we don't have a time machine to take us to 2100, and if we did, we might have higher priorities than taste-testing barbecue bugs. We stand by what we said about highway construction, though.

Raleigh in 2100

Raleigh is entering the 22nd century, and we want to celebrate all the achievements of Oak City from the last 100 years — from food technology to indomitable hockey, and of course, highway construction.

In 2039, a local chef partnered with NC State's entomology department to explore entomophagy (read: eating insects), and it's taken Raleigh by swarm. From barbecue crickets to stewed beetles, insects have quickly become a local delicacy and one of our favorite meal worms. The beetle steak at Angus Barn is our tiny but mighty local fave.

The 2050s was an eventful decade for Raleigh, including a contentious 2051 men's basketball Final Four featuring Duke, Chapel Hill, NC State, and Wake Forest, the 2053 pollen vortex, and the 2054 music festival mishap that had all of Raleigh jamming out.

In 2065, the Carolina Hurricanes notched their 10th consecutive Stanley Cup, led by the oldest coach in the league, Rod Brind'Amour. At 94 years young, Brind'Amour is winningest NHL coach ever — and by a long shot.

In 2080, the American Aquarium Aquarium opened its doors in uptown Raleigh — just north of 540 — and has since been recognized as one of the top aquariums in the country. The aquarium was made possible by a generous donation by the Raleigh band's frontman, BJ Barham.

Meanwhile, city officials say 440 construction is set to be finished within the year, but Raleighites are concerned it might face another 50-year delay.