since day one
1997 - Where it All Began
Extravaganza Events was founded by Mark Middlesworth in Charlotte, North Carolina. Operating from a 5,000-square-foot warehouse on Mint Street, the company quickly established itself by creating unique event experiences through custom props and décor. During those early years, many of the original props that helped define the Extravaganza style were hand-built and painted by Teresa Norman, who continues to serve as our lead designer today.
1998 - Growing Our Creative Vision
As demand for our services increased, Extravaganza expanded into a larger portion of the Mint Street building, growing to 13,000 square feet of warehouse and rental space. Around this time, Doug Clark joined the creative team, bringing his talent for prop curation and helping expand our ever-growing collection.
2000 – A New Home
Extravaganza purchased its own building at 1610 North Tryon Street in Charlotte. The larger facility provided the space we needed to continue expanding our inventory, creative capabilities, and event services.
2002 The Depot Opens
With our North Tryon location sitting alongside the railroad tracks, the inspiration for The Depot came naturally. We transformed the property into a one-of-a-kind event venue featuring vintage 1920s train cars and more than 6,000 square feet of event space. The Depot quickly became a sought-after destination for weddings, fundraisers, corporate events, and celebrations. Our grand opening event was a Halloween party, which remains one of our most popular themes today!
2003 – A Milestone Event
The Depot hosted the Charlotte Symphony Guild Fundraiser, a signature event supporting the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra through financial contributions and volunteer efforts. It marked an important milestone in the venue's growing reputation within the Charlotte community.
2004 – National Entertainment Comes to The Depot
The Depot welcomed Grammy Award-winning artist Ludacris for a Budweiser-sponsored event, further establishing the venue as one of Charlotte's premier destinations for memorable experiences.
2008 Creating Unforgettable Moments
Extravaganza Events designed and produced the wedding of Thomas and Kelly Davis at The Westin Charlotte. The celebration featured dramatic custom draping and an unforgettable grand entrance as the couple was carried in on a Caspian chair, showcasing the creativity and theatrical flair that became our hallmark.
2015 Hosting National Leaders
The Depot was honored to host Vice President Joe Biden as he spoke about the importance of investing in and rebuilding America's infrastructure. The event highlighted the venue's versatility and its role as a gathering place for significant community and national conversations.
2023 – A New Chapter
After more than two decades in Uptown Charlotte, Extravaganza Events relocated to Matthews, North Carolina. As part of this transition, we closed The Depot and shifted our focus exclusively to what we do best—providing exceptional props, décor, and event design for off-site events.
Today
We continue to bring creative visions to life throughout the Carolinas and beyond, building on nearly three decades of experience, innovation, and unforgettable celebrations.
18+
Years in business
2,400+
Events Produced
30+
Signature Themes
∞
Memories made!
