Interested in getting an advance look inside Raleigh-Durham International Airport's new Terminal 2? An open house Saturday will offer tours, music and food samples at the new facility.

The free, public event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free parking will be available.

The first phase of the $570 million terminal opens for air travelers on Oct. 26. The concourse has 25 specialty retail shops and restaurants, two moving walkways and 19 boarding gates, including three gates for international flights.

The building replaces the outdated Terminal C, which originally served as a hub for American Airlines. After the opening, what remains of Terminal C will be demolished to make way for the second phase of Terminal 2.

When the second phase is complete in winter 2011, Terminal 2 will have 920,000 square feet, nearly three times the size of Terminal C.

Saturday's open house will feature self-guided tours, samples of fare from airport restaurants, a look at the terminal's specialty stores, live music and children's activities.

Volunteers will provide information on the terminal's art, design themes and technology.

The terminal's artwork includes a $481,000 translucent blue glass installation by Brooklyn artist Ellen Driscoll. Its architecture is designed to reflect the region. And the terminal features a $20 million automated baggage system hidden beneath the floor.

Area public officials and representatives of economic development groups, meanwhile, will tour the new terminal and have breakfast there on Thursday morning.

U.S. Rep. David Price, RDU officials and the terminal's architect, Curtis Fentress, are scheduled to speak at the 9:30 a.m. event.

For more information about Terminal 2 and the open house, go to www.rdu.com.

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