Instead of opening the Democratic National Convention on Labor Day, Charlotte held a street party.
Carolina Fest was held on five blocks in the heart of Charlotte's Uptown on Monday. It featured live music, street vendors and voter registration drives.
Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx told the crowd he wanted to give the excitement he felt in Denver four years ago when President Barack Obama was nominated to everyone in the city.
Oklahoma delegate Dennis Hall says the street party was a nice diversion before the convention opens Tuesday.
The festival also included a "hug-a-thug" booth sponsored by the North Carolina AFL-CIO where union members were giving out hugs to festival goers.
Thousands of people braved the heat, while predicted thunderstorms held off through the afternoon.
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