Uptown race festival gets started

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- So far hundreds have walked through the streets of Charlotte, enjoying the first hours of Food Lion Speed Street.

"We expect as many as last year," said Jay Howard of J.A.G. Productions, which has run the event that is now in its 14th year.

Many children's groups danced to the music coming from a local radio station. Some NASCAR fans gazed at cars driven by Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Still others grabbed up souvenirs and food at some of the dozens of vendors set up for what some predict will be upwards of 400,000 fans flooding the three-day event.

"There are so many things to see and experience," said one visitor. "I wanted to get here early so I wouldn't miss out."

Performances by artists like Jagged Edge, Seether and North Carolina's own Kellie Pickler are scheduled on various stages. Below is the full entertainment schedule, as well as a list of road closures:

Food Lion Speed Street Entertainment lineup

THURSDAY, MAY 22

Miller Lite Stage
5:30pm Talent Shakedown Contest Winner: Rocky Yelton & the Hired Guns
7:30pm Danielle Peck
9:30pm Gary Allan

Coca-Cola Stage
5:30pm Rudy Currence
7:30pm The Heather Hays Band
9:30pm Jagged Edge

Budweiser Stage
5:00pm The Newz
6:30pm Hot Sauce
8:30pm The Landsharks

FRIDAY, MAY 23

Miller Lite Stage
6:30pm Rev Theory
8:30pm Day of Fire
10:30pm Seether

Coca-Cola Stage
12:00pm Cassandra Kubinski
7:00pm Trackside Live on SPEED
8:30pm Coca-Cola Racing Family
10:30pm Kellie Pickler

Budweiser Stage
6:00pm Superglide
7:30pm Gasoline Alley
9:30pm KISS Army, A Tribute to KISS

SATURDAY, MAY 24

Miller Lite Stage
12:00pm The Young Sons
2:30pm Auto Vaughn
4:30pm 13 Stories
6:30pm The Modern Skirts
8:30pm Ligion
10:30pm Chevelle

Coca-Cola Stage
12:00pm Tara Allison
2:00pm Swampdawamp
4:30pm Caddle
7:00pm Coca-Cola Racing Family
10:00pm Travis Tritt

Budweiser Stage
1:00pm UnCommon Jazz
3:00pm Rough Draft
5:00pm Plair All Stars
7:00pm U-Neek Flavur
9:00pm Maria Howell

Speed Street Road Closures

Wed., May 21
9:30 a.m. -- Set-up begins, street closures;
Trade Street between Church and College Streets
Tryon Street between 3rd and 8th Streets
7th Street between Church Street and College Street
College Street between 7th and 9th Streets
Streets (leaving one lane open for Tryon House Residents to access their parking area)
8th Street between College Street and Brevard Street
(Cross streets remain open, except for Trade, 7th and 8th Streets)
4 p.m. -- 7th and College Streets re-open for afternoon rush
7 p.m. -- 7th Street and College Street close

Thur., May 22
6 a.m. -- 7th Street and College Street re-open for morning rush
9 a.m. -- 5th Street, 6th Street and 7th Street Close between College and Church
College Street closes between 7th and 9th Streets
11 a.m. Food Lion Speed Street Officially Opens
4 p.m. -- Two right lanes open on College between 7th & 9th St.
6:30 p.m. -- Two right lanes close on College between 7th & 9th St.
12 Midnight -- Food Lion Speed Street Closes

Fri., May 23
6 a.m. -- 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street and College Street re- open for morning rush
9:30 a.m. -- 5th Street, 6th Street and 7th Street and College Street Close
11 a.m. -- Food Lion Speed Street Opens
12 Midnight -- Food Lion Speed Street Closes

Sat., May 24
11 a.m. -- Food Lion Speed Street Opens
12 Midnight -- Food Lion Speed Street Closes

Sun., May 25
8 a.m. -- All Streets Re-Open