CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Thousands of people are packing the streets of uptown Charlotte this weekend for the annual pride festival and parade.

Officials with the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) said the festival generated nearly four and half million dollars in economic impact last year which left behind a major impact on the hospitality industry.

“Plus it helps keep those one in nine people who live in the Charlotte-area that depend on tourism to help make sure there are jobs for them to keep them us employed,” said Mike Butts with Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

 

 

 

 Vendors like Nicholas McGrady said Charlotte Pride is one of their most profitable events of the year

“We travel to Pride all over the country from Vermont all the way to South Florida and Charlotte is definitely in our top,” said McGrady.

CRVA officials said more than 150,000 people attended last year's Pride celebration and 16,000 of them were visitors from outside of the city.

The annual Pride Festival continues Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. and the parade kicks off at 1 p.m. from 9th to N. Tryon Streets in utown Charlotte. For more information, visit https://charlottepride.org/

 

 

 
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