UNIVERSITY CITY LAKE
CHARLOTTE, NC
Event will be located behind
The Shoppes at University Place
(The Boardwalk at University City)
8931 J M Keynes Dr
Charlotte, NC 28262
SATURDAY
AUGUST 8, 2026
11 AM - 5PM
🎒 1,000 FREE Back-to-School Book Bags for Kids
PARKING AVAILABLE AT:
JW CLAY PARK & RIDE
9048 N. TRYON STREET
CHARLOTTE, NC 28262
Park in the deck and follow event signs to the festival. Event will be located behind The Shoppes at University Place.
IMPORTANT EVENT DETAILS → TAP BELOW
ADMISSION IS NOW FREE!
No ticket is required for entry. Just come and enjoy!
If you purchased tickets before this announcement, don't worry, all tickets will be fully refunded.
BECOME A VENDOR
Join food
vendors, retail businesses, and local entrepreneurs for a high-energy
family festival at University City Lake.
Thousands of
Attendees • Premium Visibility • Strong Sales Potential
Showcase Your Brand at THE
Looka That Festival Right There! EVENT
🍗 Food Vendors
🛍️ Product Vendors
🍧 Family-Friendly Activities
* Limited Vendor Space Available *
SUPPORT THE FESTIVAL
We welcome businesses, organizations, and community partners who would like to support this family-friendly event.
Tell us how you’d like to contribute and we’ll be in touch.
Every contribution helps make this event possible.
ENTERTAINMENT
Featured Hosts
LEXUS SINGLETON
Locally recognized television personality and dynamic event emcee, Lexus Singleton has hosted major events across the Carolinas and beyond. She will lead the festivities and keep the energy high throughout the day.
WOODY MCCLAIN
Woody McClain is an actor, comedian, producer, and former professional dancer from Charleston, South Carolina. After performing with artists including Chris Brown and Fifth Harmony, he gained national attention through viral comedy content and later signed with Kevin Hart’s HartBeat Digital. Woody is known for portraying Bobby Brown in BET’s The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story, and can also be seen in Power Book II: Ghost, alongside many other roles across film and television in both comedy and drama.
Music Lineup
V-KEYZ & CO.
V-Keyz is a self-taught musician who began playing piano at the age of 9, learning gospel songs by ear. He has performed with several bands, including Mellogroove, an R&B ensemble that was inducted into the City of Rock Hill, S.C.’s Hall of Fame as a historic music group. His solo talents have landed him performances from Florida to New York, as well as auditions for NBC’s “The Voice,” and FOX’s “The Four.”
QUEEN CITY ELITE PERCUSSION
Queen City Elite Percussion is a talented drumline based in Charlotte, North Carolina, bringing their incredible energy and showmanship to this year’s Looka That Festival Right There! Known for their high-energy performances and crowd engagement, Queen City Elite is ready to deliver a unique experience for festival attendees of all ages. We’re excited to welcome them to the entertainment lineup and can’t wait for them to bring their signature sound and excitement to the stage.
Our Food Drink Sweet Treats Vendors
BERNARD HARDISON
Founder & Event Organizer
B’S DINING EXPERIENCE
Columbia, SC
Chicken • Fish
🐊Gator Grill Experience
BIG PAPI'S SMOKEHOUSE
In Collaboration with Bernard Hardison
New Orleans, LA
Fresh Gator • Grilled On-Site
🥟 Free Mini Beef Patty Samples
ELEMENTAL FOOD SERVICE
In Collaboration with Bernard Hardison
Columbia, SC
🦞 Free Seafood & Oxtail Rasta Pasta Samples
TASTEBUDZ
In Collaboration with Bernard Hardison
Columbia, SC
🍪 Free Gourmet Cookie Samples
LEXY THE FOOODIE
In Collaboration with Bernard Hardison
South Florida
LES BBQ
LES BBQ SANDWHICHES
Draper, UT
Oxtails
DA' LOADED KITCHEN
Charlotte, NC
Soul Food
JESSICA WILLIAMS
LEMON SQUEEZE
Columbia, SC
Lemonade
BIG SLIM
BIG SLIM
MEAL PREP & CATERING
Columbus, GA
Turkey Legs
ANDARRIO JOHNSON
CUZZO’S CUISINE
Charlotte, NC
Soul Food
ERICA'S CAKE FACTORY
Florence, SC
Cakes • Sweet Treats
MESHA'S SINFUL CAKES
Columbia, SC
Cakes • Cupcakes
STREET OYSTERS
Charleston, SC
Chargrilled Oysters
GEECHIE GAL SEAFOOD
Charleston, SC
Seafood
CORNER BOYS BBQ
Raleigh, NC
BBQ
FANCY FUNNEL CAKES
Charlotte, NC
Funnel Cakes • Fair Favorites
DRUMS VS FLATS
Charlotte, NC
Chicken Wings
BIG BACKS FOOD TRUCK
Charlotte, NC
Donut Burgers • Philly Cheesesteaks
TRAP SNACKZ
Pensacola, FL
Candied Fruit
THE SWEET SPOT
Columbia, SC
Nachos & Cotton Candy
DASH-N-DOGZ
Florence, SC
Hot Dogs
TOPLINERS WATER ICE
Columbia, SC
Flavored Water Ice
GOUDA'S KITCHEN
Charlotte, NC
Comfort Food
SW33T TOOTH
Columbia, SC
Cinnamon Rolls
Thank You to Our SPONSORS
We’re grateful to the businesses, organizations, and community partners helping make Looka That Festival Right There! possible.
Our sponsor family continues to grow as we prepare for an unforgettable festival experience.
OFFICIAL KIDZONE SPONSOR: LAFF HOUSE PARTY RENTALS
TEE GRIZZLEY & GRIZZLEY ENTERTAINMENT
IG: @teegrizzley
NOVEL UNIVERSITY PLACE
IG: @noveluniversityplace
ALL DAY PARTY RENTALS
Facebook: All Day Party Rentals
Mercado's Dumpster Service
Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?
Click below to partner with us to help create an exciting community festival experience while gaining visibility for your business or organization.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
HELPFUL INFO TO PLAN YOUR FESTIVAL DAY
🅿️ PARKING & DIRECTIONS
- Parking is available at the JW Clay Park & Ride parking garage located at 9048 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28262.
- Additional free parking is available throughout The Shoppes at University Place (limited availability and will fill quickly).
- Rideshare services are encouraged.
- The event will take place behind The Shoppes at University Place (The Boardwalk) 8931 J M Keynes Dr, Charlotte, NC, 28262, which is just a short walk from the parking garage at 9048 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28262.
- Event signs will be posted to guide you to the festival area.
- Additional parking available at University City Blvd Station – 7205 N. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28213 (a parking fee may apply when exiting)
- Board at University City Blvd Station (7205 N. Tryon St)
- Fare: $2.20 one way
- Ride 1 stop north to JW Clay / UNC Charlotte Station
- Walk about 9 minutes to the event area
- Trains arrive approximately every 7 – 20 minutes
- Fares and schedules are subject to change. Please check the CATS website or app for the latest information.
