With one of the biggest weeks of NASCAR in Charlotte here, it only seems fitting to share Food Lion Speed Street Festival with fans of the sport and non-fans -- so you can hunker down indoors.

Kicking off TODAY and continuing through May 29 is an annual free festival that jump-starts the race weekend and leads up to the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on May 30. You can expect a huge number of people (claustrophobic folks beware) at the fest, which features live entertainment -- Rodney Atkins, Morris Day & The Time, Josh Turner, Everclear, Corey Smith, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and more -- vendors and displays, food, activities for children, interactive exhibits and special meet and greets and Q&A sessions with NASCAR drivers.

— Anita Overcash

For more information on Food Lion Speed Street Festival, visit www.600festival.com. For more information on the Coca-Cola 600, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.