Hugo the Hornet returns to The Queen City

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After a dozen years, the mascot of the Charlotte Hornets made his triumphant return to the Queen City Thursday.

Hugo the Hornet re-introduced himself to Charlotte at 7:30 a.m. Thursday by appearing on top of Time Warner Cable Arena.

Hugo will reacquaint himself with Charlotte throughout the day, making numerous stops around town.

IMAGES: Hugo The Hornet takes trip around the city

The mascot will take a quick ride on the Lynx Blue Line from Bland Street to Carson Street at 9 a.m., then visit the Lowe's store at 217 Iverson Way at 9:30 a.m. before meeting with members of the Charlotte Fire Department at Station 1 on North Myers Street at 10:15 a.m.

At 12:15 p.m., Hugo will take part in the first Hornets "Tweet-Up" at Charlotte's Independence Square at the corner of Trade and Tryon streets. After that, he will go to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Eastway Division on Central Avenue at 1:45 p.m.

From there, he will move on to Rama Road Elementary School at 2:30 p.m. and Novant Health Hemby Children's Hospital at 3:30 p.m. before returning to Time Warner Cable Arena, where he will welcome fans at the team's open house that evening.

Hugo's Schedule for Thursday, June 5
7:30 a.m. -- Time Warner Cable Arena
9:00 a.m. (approx.) -- Lynx Blue Line (from Bland Street to Carson Street)
9:30-9:45 a.m. -- Lowe's (217 Iverson Way)
10:15-10:30 a.m. -- Charlotte Fire Department Station 1 (221 North Myers Street)
12:15-12:45 p.m. -- Hornets "Tweet-Up" (Corner of Trade and Tryon streets)
1:45-2:00 p.m. -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Eastway Division (3505 Central Avenue)
2:30-3:00 p.m. -- Rama Road Elementary School (1035 Rama Road)
3:30-4:00 p.m. -- Novant Health Hemby Children's Hospital (200 Hawthorne Lane)
6:30 p.m. -- Open House (Time Warner Cable Arena)

WSOC