CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- Festival-goers say Friday and Saturday are nothing but stress relievers after a tumultuous last few weeks, not only in Charlotte but across the nation.
Thousands of people roamed Freedom Park Friday evening for the opening day of the 61st annual Festival in the Park.
"We wanted to come here because I like seeing the vendors -- all the vendors and what they have,” said Lisa and Reinaldo Robles in one of the city’s most serene settings. “I like the food and the kettle popcorn.”
Others agreed. The three-day festival features performances on multiple stages and nearly 200 visual artists' works on display.
"The biggest thing we look forward to every year is the local vendors being able to see the artists out here and the food. It's just so much to experience for everyone that comes," said Malin Curry. He and his partner Cobie came to the festival together to enjoy the sights and sounds.
People in Charlotte say for the last month, they've been overwhelmed by recent crimes, including the stabbing death of a woman on the CATS light rail, and this week, the shooting death of a 4-year-old while sleeping in his bed.
Just last week, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed by a sniper on a Utah college campus. Charlotteans say they're using the festival as a way to decompress.
"It’s nice to not think about that for a while,” Lisa Robles said. “Because yeah, the news has been intense.”
"I say it’s pretty good coming off of school,” said teens Sterling Picot and Ronnie Wood. “It’s probably like a stress reliever. It’s like you can’t even have fun in Charlotte. Everybody just be killing it. Just stay home if you're going to bring that.”
Neighbors say they're using the festival to block out recent events, feeling safer within the crowd.
"I feel safe coming here, you know, there's a big police presence here, but I still feel safe,” Robles said. “It’s just unfortunate that things happened recently that are scary, but I still feel safe.”
The festivities continue on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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