CHARLOTTE, NC — Tuesday marks the start of a week of celebrations in Charlotte. The Belk Bowl brought tens of thousands of football fans to Uptown.
“It’s ridiculous, insane,” said Demond Mack. “A lot going on!”
It’s Mack’s first New Year’s week on the job as a bike taxi driver.
“Beautiful money! That’s all I can tell you is beautiful money!” said Mack.
Bike taxis aren’t the only ones peddling in the money. Last year the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority says more than 45,000 fans filled Bank of America Stadium for the Belk Bowl. They spent $8.24 million and checked into nearly 10,000 hotel rooms. Mecklenburg County made nearly $16 million in revenue and collected more than $336,000 in taxes.
On day two of the celebrations, New Year’s Eve festivities will start at NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The city has determined the event to be “extraordinary”. That means police will be out in large numbers. Officers will have the authority to question people with suspicious items in the area.
“Unfortunately, the day we live in, there are people who do seek to make a statement and do harm to large numbers of innocent people,” said Maj. Jeff Estes. “We feel like it’s our responsibility to make sure we do every step not to allow that to happen.”
Maj. Estes says if anyone sees anything suspicious, such as bags or people, let an officer know. They will be able to check into it and determine if it is safe.
