FSU fans began pouring in this morning. Barry Scarr bought his ticketslast April. First up after the airport, the car rental agency. Folks atAlamo told WRAL they were all out of cars.
There's no room at the Carolina Inn. The favorite Tar Heel resting spotsold out for this weekend last spring. Manager Creston Woods says thehotel was virtually sold out in one day, on April 14th.
According to Orange County number crunchers, a football weekend adds up to between $2.5 to $3 million dollars in revenue. They say the UNC-FloridaState game will bring in even more.
By mid-afternoon Friday, Franklin Street became filled with locals andtourists. That meant a lot of action for cash registers. Orange Countyeconomic developer Ted Abernathy says a lot of people coming in don't evenhave tickets. They just showed up on Franklin Street to be a part of theexcitement.
Friday, fans were buying up Tar Heel merchandise. Store owner SheltonHenderson says it was an incredible day. His store was filled with peoplefrom all walks of life.
WRAL is told it's difficult to even find a hotel room in the entireTriangle this weekend. Not only is football the game of order in ChapelHill, but in Raleigh and Durham. To add to the crowds, it's Parent'sWeekend at NC State.
Also among the droves of people taking over local hotels and restaurantsare reporters and photographers from the national press.
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