CIAA expects huge crowds for 100th anniversary

None — Private parties in Charlotte will help kick off one of the largest sporting events in the Queen City.

The CIAA's 100-year anniversary is expected to draw in more people than in recent years.

CIAA events, entertainment guide

Organizers said fans who have not gone to the event in years are expected to attend to celebrate the anniversary.

The manager of one uptown restaurant told Channel 9 he expects business to double during each day of the tournament.

"We make pizzas as fast as we can all day long, and it's just a line out the door all day," said Matt Bowman, manager of Libretto's.

Last year, the event drew 190,000 people to the area for an economic impact of $44.3 million.

This year, organizers added a day to the event specifically to celebrate the anniversary.

Starting Tuesday at 12 p.m., CATS will extend select routes for the basketball tournament.

The basketball tournament starts Tuesday at Time Warner Cable Arena.  Both men and woman's championship games will be played on Saturday.

The Gold Rush routes will extend to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and will make stops near the Hilton Garden Inn and Blake Hotel.

The Orange Line will extend service to the Westin Hotel and the Residence Inn.

For more information on bus routes, click here.