Speed Street Kicks Off in Uptown

Three days of free, outdoor concerts and NASCAR driver appearances

The 18th annual Food Lion Speed Street kicks off today in uptown and runs through Saturday, May 26. It’s a tradition for NASCAR fans and non-fans, for Charlotteans and out-of-towners, who enjoy the event for the fun, food, and entertainment. Dozens of NASCAR drivers will make appearances and sign autographs, including Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, and many more. There will also be several interactive games, prize giveaways, and vendor displays, with activities beginning at noon each day. Admission to Speed Street is free.

Perhaps the largest draw to this festival each year are the outdoor concerts, which feature local, regional, and national acts of several different musical genres. I’ve listed the concert schedule below.

Thursday, May 24

Coca-Cola Stage
6-7 p.m.: U-Neek Flavur
7:30-8:45 p.m.: Sol Fusion
9-9:30 p.m.: Evelyn “Champagne” King
9:45-10:45 p.m.: Midnight Star

Miller Lite Stage
6:30-7:30 p.m.: Darrell Harwood
8-9:15 p.m.: Winner of The Great Taste Music Series, Benton Blount
9:45-11 p.m.: Easton Corbin

Friday, May 25

Coca-Cola Stage
8:15-9 p.m.: Hoss Howard Band
9:30-11 p.m.: Justin Moore

Miller Lite Stage
6:30-7:30 p.m.: Sugar Glyder
8:15-9p.m.: Winner of The Great Taste Music Series, 21st Century Goliath
9:30-11p.m.: Halestorm

Saturday, May 26

Coca-Cola Stage
12-1 p.m.: Fusebox Poet
1:30-2:30 p.m.: Stella Rising
3-4 p.m.: Simplified
4:30-5:30 p.m.: The Catch Fire
6-7 p.m.: Chris Weaver Band
8-9 p.m.: Night Ranger
9:45-11 p.m.: Loverboy

Miller Lite Stage
1-1:45 p.m.: The Great Taste Music Series, 3rd place (rock), Sun Dried Vibes
2:15-3 p.m.: The Great Taste Music Series, 2nd place (rock), Vess
3:30-4:30 p.m.: Beyond The Fade
5-6 p.m.: The Great Taste Music Series, 3rd place (country), Stony Creek Boys
6:30-7:30 p.m.: The Great Taste Music Series, 2nd place (country), Gal Friday
8-9 p.m.: Casey James
9:30-11 p.m.: Clay Walker

Visit 600festival.com to verify dates and times, and to see the full schedule of activities and NASCAR driver appearances.

Be sure to bookmark www.charlottemagazine.com/Blogs/Dusk-Till-Dawn to stay plugged into Charlotte nightlife.