Charlotte dot com

More than 7,000 people are expected uptown today for Charlotte's annual Gay Pride festival.

Held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Pride Charlotte will be held at Gateway Village, on West Trade Street near Cedar Street.

The festival will feature booths with food, arts, crafts and services for the lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual community. National syndicated radio host Cooper Lawrence will emcee the event. Performances include a drag show and music by artists Kat Williams, Jimmy Roland and The Near Misses, among others.

City officials expect at least two organized protests to the festival. For information on the festival, go to www.pridecharlotte.com. -- franco ordoñez