The numbers have been tabulated and what they show is the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival continues to contribute a strong boost to the local economy. This year the event welcomed more than 216,000 visitors and generated more than $8 million in direct economic impact according to figures released by the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. William Lewis, Cary's Cultural Arts Manager, joined Jeff Hamlin on the WPTF Afternoon News to discuss the Chinese Lantern Festival