"We are so glad to be back."The quote comes from the managing director for the National Black Theatre Festival, April Broadway, but it could be attributed to thousands of people attending this week's events.The COVID-19 pandemic put the festival on hold for the last three years, so everyone's been anxious for their return to Winston-Salem."We are all back at holy ground for Black theatre," Broadway said. "It’s the energy, you miss it. It can’t be harvested, you can’t make it up. You have to experience it. It’s contagious."The first day was packed with performances, and also a gala and awards ceremony to acknowledge the important work being done in the community by people of all ages. Day two kicked off with those in the youngest category dancing through downtown for the Youth Parade.Dancing in the crowd was a young girl named Love Juniorette who came from New York representing the organization, A Soulful Heart Memorializing George Floyd, Jr. She told WXII she wants people to never forget his name.She was with other youth ambassadors Qaasim and Khalil Middleton, who said they're facilitating conversations throughout the week around their greater purpose."We are memorializing George Floyd Jr.," said Qaasim. "We’re holding ourselves accountable for what we’re supposed to be doing for the next days and years to come. Bringing life to the youth, bringing life to our ancestors and paying it forward."The parade passed right by Keona's Boutique, owned by Mary King. She's been in that downtown spot on Fifth Street for 35 years and always looks forward to the festival. "It’s a blessing to meet people from different walks of life," King said. "For us to have it here, especially after COVID and recession and all that, we need this. Our economy needed this boost."King said she was closed for 2.5 years during the pandemic. Her vendors that provide hats and clothing put her usual merchandise order on hold during that time. Everything was sent to her a few months ago, so she said her shop is packed from wall to wall with sales. "Business is booming," she said. "Business improves 100% when they're here."With an estimated 50,000 people expected to attend the festival over the course of the week, the economic impact is huge for all of Forsyth County, according to Broadway. She's encouraging people to download the National Black Theatre Festival mobile app to buy tickets and stay up-to-date on the latest events.