Last year, CSF organized the ACC Football Championship game, Ally Tipoff, Jumpman Invitational, Charlotte Invitational, Dukeâs Mayo Bowl, Dukeâs Mayo Classic, and the Meck Mile.
The 2024 Dukeâs Mayo Classic between University of Tennessee and NC State University drew 72,000+ people to Bank of America Stadium.
Photo via Charlotte Sports Foundation
Show me the money
In 2024, according to CSFâs annual report, college football games drew 211,100 fans who booked 65,300 hotel rooms. Direct visitor spending jumped from $42.9 million in 2023 to $48.5 million in 2024.
Karaoke Contest | 7-10 p.m. | Seoul Food Meat, South End | Cost of purchase | RSVP to sing your heart out for the chance to win prizes.
Friday, April 18
Tianyu Lights Festival Charlotte | 6:30 p.m. | 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord | $17+ | Stroll through 25 larger-than-life illuminated art installations + shop the marketplace for souvenirs and snacks.
UV Resin Workshop at CLT SHOUT! | 7-9 p.m. | 200 South College St. | $55+ | Build a sculpture made of resin and upcycled glass.
The Imperial Treasure is welcoming diners at its new location at Ballantyne Village. Prepare to order steamed dim sum, stir-fry, and Beijing roast duck. The Chinese restaurantâs first location is in Matthews.
Shop
Pretty in pink. LoveShackFancy is opening a store at Phillips Place. Fill your cart with dresses, handbags, bedding, and home decor when the award-winning brand welcomes shoppers starting Friday, April 25.
Coming Soon
Weâll dink to that. Charlotte Padel Club will break ground on six to eight new covered courts this summer at Sports Connectionâs Pickleball Charlotte location in south Charlotte. The club offers memberships, beginner sessions, and court rentals. (Axios Charlotte)
Development
Rock Hill City Council voted to rezone the former Carolina Panthers practice facility site to general industry use. City officials have not yet announced a formal plan, but envision a mix of industrial and commercial use for the 215-acre property along Eden Terrace. (WCNC)
Outdoors
The cicadas are coming. By mid-May, expect to hear the sounds of the Brood XIV cicadas across the state. This brood periodically emerges every 17 years and is considered to be one of the largest periodical cicada broods. (WCNC)
Plan Ahead
The Charlotte Salute to Heroes Foundation is hosting its 17th annual Charity Hockey Game on Saturday, April 19. The game at Bojangles Coliseum will feature Charlotte Fire and Medic, CMPD, and the Mecklenburg County Sheriffâs Office to honor fallen first responders and raise funds for their families and colleagues. Tickets are on sale. (WCNC)
Try This
Travel back in time by visiting Passmoreâs Grocery and Grill in Rock Hill. The family-owned restaurant on Saluda Road has been serving thick hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, and tater tots since 1935. (Queen City News)
Sports
Could Derek Carrâs shoulder injury change the Carolina Panthersâ draft strategy? Go beyond the clipboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked Onâs daily, team-focused podcasts.
Travel
Get in CLT, weâre going shopping. Round up your friends for a daytrip tothe Outlet Capitol of North Carolina to find your favorite name brands at up to 65% off.*
Job
Small business owners, we know you wear a lot of hats. Let us handle one. Post your job listing on the CLTtoday Job Board for free and get it in front of some of the best local candidates.
Health
Protect your eyes and your wallet when you get personalized coverage with VSPÂź Individual Vision Plans. Enroll today for as little as $13 a month.*
Spending a spring morning surrounded by trees in historic Elizabeth sounds pretty nice, huh? | Photo via Elizabeth 8K
Lace up your shoes and get ready to run, jog, or walk for a cause this spring. Weâve rounded up six upcoming races to compete in across the Queen City.
Note: All listed times are the race start times.
Bunny Run 5K and Festival | Saturday, April 19 | 9 a.m. | Fifth Third Bank - Downtown Concord | $25 | Race along McCachern Boulevard before partying at the festival with live music, food trucks, arts, and meeting the Easter Bunny.
Elizabeth 8K Road Race | Saturday, April 26 | 8 a.m. | 1515 Bartow Ct., Charlotte | $30+ | Consider running or taking an untimed 1.5-mile tour of one of Charlotteâs oldest neighborhoods with proceeds benefiting the beautification of the neighborhood and TreesCharlotte.
The Loop 5K | Sunday, April 27 | 8 a.m. | 2101 Rexford Rd. | $45 | The inaugural race through SouthPark sends runners through a 3.1-mile urban trail before celebrating with music, food vendors, and family activities.
The best pet supply products to simplify at-home care and keep your fur baby happy:
đŸ Pet ear wipes are a quick, one-step solution to make sure pets donât develop problems caused by build-up.
đŸ This cat + dog steam brush de-sheds better than plain brushes or combs, thanks to hair-attracting steam.
đŸ Eager to avoid expensive teeth cleaning? Once-a-week dental wipes can get you there without tangling with a toothbrush.
đŸ Swapping water bowls for a pet water fountain keeps water filtered and fresh â and pets tend to love drinking from it.
đŸ As seen on TV, Muddy Mats are designed to trap dirt, mud, and sand from paws, keeping entryways clean â no toweling off required.
Iâve participated in several races in Charlotte since moving here in 2018. I think the key to getting a solid PR is setting up a rockinâ playlist. Of course, âEye of the Tigerâ is on my playlist, along with âThe Final Countdown.â Want to help us put a list together? Submit your picks to our playlist and we may share it in an upcoming newsletter.
