plus, the Hornets get a new practice facility.
 
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✈️ Pack your bags

Charlotte airport predicts record spring break travel
Passengers walk in separate directions against a line of trees inside Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport had a record number of 53 million passengers in 2023.
| Photo by CLTairport
Buckle up. Charlotte Douglas International Airport predicts this year’s spring break could be the busiest one yet. Forecasts show passenger volumes 15% higher from last year. The busiest travel days are expected to be:
  • Thursday, March 28
  • Friday, March 29
  • Monday, April 1
The airport is preparing for possible record-breaking crowds by having additional staff on-hand, wearing easy-to-spot yellow vests to help passengers. Shuttle buses will also take alternate routes to alleviate traffic congestion for departures.

Lines of travelers carrying luggage make their way through Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Passengers can access all gates from any checkpoint once cleared through TSA at Charlotte Douglas.

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Photo by CLTairport

Air travel isn’t entirely in our control, but extra time and proper planning could make the difference in avoiding a stressful trip.

Before you enjoy high tides and good vibes, Charlotte Douglas recommends you don’t wing it.

Hoping for smooth skies? Here are our top travel tips:
  • Book parking when booking your flight. Reserve parking to get the best spot at the lowest rate.
  • Arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight to comfortably make it through TSA.
  • Monitor shuttle bus wait times and security wait times online or in the airport’s app.
CLT_Charlotte Douglas Airport_March_2024

Charlotte’s airport ranked the seventh-busiest worldwide according to Airport Council International.

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Photo by CLTairport

Catch flights, break records. Charlotte Douglas set a high mark last year with more than 53 million passengers catching flights from the Queen City. The airport reported a 12% increase in passengers from 2022, when 47 million travelers came to the airport. It was also 6.5% higher than the previous record of 50+ million passengers, set in 2019.
Asked

What’s your favorite spring break activity?
A. Relaxing on a beach
B. A hiking trip to the mountains
C. Enjoying a staycation
D. Other
Share your vacay vibes
 
Events
Wednesday, March 27
  • Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | Wednesday, March 27 | 7 p.m. | Spectrum Center, 333 E. Trade St., Charlotte | $17.50-$400+ | Grab your jerseys to see the Hornets in a home match-up with the Cavs.
  • Max Amini Live in Charlotte | Wednesday, March 27 | 7 p.m. | Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $45 | Enjoy a night of laughs from this stand-up comedian.
  • Syncopated Ladies | Wednesday, March 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | $29.50 | An all-female tap production set to pop, hip-hop, and salsa music.
Thursday, March 28
Friday, March 29
  • Dinosaur World Live | Friday, March 29-Saturday, March 30 | 6 p.m. | Cain Center for the Arts, 21348 Catawba Ave., Cornelius | $20-$45 | Discover a prehistoric world of life-like dinosaurs.
  • Keiko Matsui: Legendary Jazz Pianist and Composer | Friday, March 29 | 6:30 p.m. + 9 p.m. | Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $52.50 | Prepare to be serenaded by the internationally-acclaimed pianist.
  • The Dave Matthews Tribute Band | Friday, March 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Amos Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | $15-$35 | “What would you say” to a night of cover songs celebrating the Dave Matthews Band?
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Announced
  • Slam dunk. Charlotte City Council approved a new practice facility for the Charlotte Hornets near the Spectrum Center. The Hornets will pay for the estimated $100 million project that is expected to be complete by 2026. (WCNC)
Development
  • Roughly 39 townhomes will be built on Sugar Creek Road near Interstate 85 in north Charlotte. City council approved the development to be built atop the site of the now-demolished Economy Inn. (WCNC)
Edu
  • Students planning to attend UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, and five other UNC system universities will have more time to enroll. The deadline has been pushed from Wednesday, May 1, to Wednesday, May 15. The two-week extension will give students more time to consider financial aid offers. (The Charlotte Observer)
Outdoors
  • Invasion. After more than a decade in hibernation, millions of cicadas are expected to emerge in Mecklenburg County between mid-April and early May. The noisy, but harmless insects will likely be plentiful in areas like Pineville and Ballantyne.
Sports
  • Going for the gold. The Charlotte-based US Women’s Field Hockey team is preparing for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. It will be the team’s first Olympic appearance since 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. (Queen City News)
Plan Ahead
  • Ticket registration is now open for the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte. Fans are encouraged to sign up for the no-obligation registry between now and Sunday, July 7. The tournament will be played May 12-18, 2025. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Festival
  • We’re not in Kansas anymore. The Land of Oz theme park in Beech Mountain is celebrating the 85th anniversary of the iconic film, “The Wizard of Oz.” The annual Autumn at Oz Festival will take guests down the Yellow Brick Road this September. (WBTV)
History
Sports
  • North Carolina faces Alabama in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the North Carolina Tar Heels with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Try This
  • So, you’re planning an event. With our self-service advertising options, you can create some buzz in Charlotte + make sure people show up. Psst… Your listing could be featured in this newsletter in as little as two days. Rack in the RSVPs.
TEGNA
 
Outdoors

🐻 How to deal with wild neighbors

When animals make themselves at home in your home
A black bear peers through a glass window looking inside a home.
Black bears are found in 60% of the total land area of North Carolina. | Photo by NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Spring is when native wildlife begin emerging from winter slumbers with babies soon to follow. The increased activity means animals and humans are more likely to cross paths.

You suddenly have a deer fawn, snake, or bear cub in your backyard — now what?

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) released guidance on wildlife encounters as they tend to increase this time of year.

Black bears
Bears emerge from their dens in spring. Humans may encounter cubs waiting for the mother to return from foraging. If you believe a cub has been orphaned, don’t handle, feed, or remove it. Instead, note the location and contact the NC Wildlife Helpline.

Snakes
If you encounter a snake, stay calm and give it plenty of room to move along. If it’s a copperhead, rattlesnake, or Northern pine snake, report it through HerpMapper.org.

Coyotes
Sightings spike in the spring and peak in May. Tips to protect pets include:
  • Remove all outdoor pet food, fallen fruit, food waste, and bird feeders.
  • Keep cats and small dogs on a leash whenever they’re outside.
Learn about more critter encounters
Answered

Last week, we asked you what your favorite part of the fair is. 🎡 Here’s what you said:
    A pizza stand at the Charlotte Fair with a carnival ride in the background against a blue sky.

    Get ready to have fun at the Charlotte Fair — running until Monday, April 1 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

    |

    Photo by CLTtoday

    • 73% — eating tasty food
    • 13% — riding fun rides
    • 6% — enjoying a show
    • 6% — animals at the petting zoo
    Share CLTtoday
     
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