Big changes to Speed Street, including a new location — and everything is free again
After 25 years on Tryon Street, uptown’s annual racing celebration is changing gears.
Circle K Speed Street has kicked off racing season each year with a three-day celebration leading up to the annual Coca-Cola 600, a 600-mile NASCAR Cup Series race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The race is held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, so for a few days before that, racing fans meet uptown to party.
NASCAR fan or not, you’re going to want to pay attention to these updates to the annual festival:
(1) Goodbye Tryon Street, hello to Speed Street’s new digs
Gone are the days of Tryon Street being closed down, with a long walking lane of NASCAR vendors and sponsors. Starting with this year’s event (May 21-23), Romare Bearden Park will host all of the events in a more circular fashion much more reminiscent of, dare we say … a racetrack? Previously, the park was home to the concerts alone.
With 5.4 acres in the park and surrounding streets closed for food vendors and foot traffic, there will be plenty of room for festival guests to wander. Seven entrances will offer plenty of ways to get in and out while also allowing for bag checks.
With all this space, there will be plenty to eat and drink, live entertainment and other events. “Since Circle K Speed Street has always been the home of your NASCAR fans, we will have NASCAR race cars on display. We will also have NASCAR drivers here to sign autographs. We’re also looking to have mascots from our area sports teams and lots to see and do,” said Jacqueline Gafrarar, the Executive Director of the 600Festival, which runs the Circle K Speed Street.
(2) It’s free
After a few years of selling tickets to concerts, Speed Street is going back to its roots. Fans kept asking for the events to return to free, and the organizers listened.
Show up to enjoy the all-day — now free — entertainment as well as the marquee bands at dusk. The headliners will be announced in March — so stay tuned to find out when your favorites will play.
(3) Baseball fans (and any other fans) are welcome
Speed Street isn’t just for racing fans. In fact, the ACC Baseball Championship will be going on during the same time (May 19-24) next door at BB&T Ballpark. Expect to see plenty of baseball fans wandering the festival — the stadium’s capacity is 10,200. “For all of you baseball fans that will be in town in the center city, if you’re team’s not playing in the park, then come on over to Romare Bearden Park,” Gafrarar said.
While Speed Street has always been racing focused, the idea was actually born after a basketball tournament. In 1994, the NCAA Final Four Tournament was held in Charlotte, followed by A Street of Champions festival on Tryon Street. It was such a large success that the organizers decided to create an annual event, Gafrarar said. Since the Coca-Cola 600 happens every Memorial Day weekend, racing became the ideal festival theme, Gafrarar said.
Don’t be surprised if you see Sir Purr, Chubby, Hugo, Homer or any of your other favorite mascots hanging out at Speed Street, too.
(4) It’s all about local
In Charlotte, we love our local beer and food. In response, the organizers have added beer gardens from local breweries and local food trucks. These vendors will be situated along Mint, Church and 3rd streets and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. This perimeter of food and beer choices will allow for as many left turns as you want — as long as your stomach will allow (so, show up hungry).
(5) You can bring your dog
New this year, even your four-legged best friend is invited. Woof woof.
If you’ve never been to Speed Street, here are some other things to know: There will be a family area with bounce houses and face painting. Interactive displays and games will be plentiful, with tons of chances to win prizes.
Circle K Speed Street
Romare Bearden Park
300 S. Church St.
Noon-10 p.m. Thursday, May 21
Noon-11 p.m. Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23
Music and stage activity will take place all day, with headliners taking the stage each evening to close out the night.
Consider taking the LYNX Blue Line (your closest stop will be 3rd Street/Convention Center Station) to avoid having to battle for street parking. The park is a .4 mile walk from the light rail station.