DeLuna Fest pulls in large crowd

PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. (WALA) - Thousands of music fans who bought tickets to this year's DeLuna Fest turned out on Saturday. 

Festival goers lined up throughout the day to enjoy the event's selection of musical acts on multiple stages across Pensacola Beach.

For many, the three-day show was worth a multiple day trip. Brian Hanzell and Elizabeth Snider came to DeLuna Fest from Ohio.

“It’s been phenomenal. Actually, this was a birthday present from (Brian) to me. I said I wanted to go to a festival and it’s exactly what I wanted," said Snider.

More than 70 acts will play over the weekend on multiple stages. Pearl Jam played Friday night. Saturday was the first full day of the event and officials are expecting huge crowds for the acts, which will be headlined by rock band the Foo Fighters.

The Zac Brown Band will close out the festival on Sunday.

Many people took to the beach, lounging in hammocks or the sand, to listen to musical acts.

Festival goers have been welcomed by sunshine and mild temperatures so far and officials say they don't expect that to change for what they expect to be the best year of DeLuna Fest yet.

Jay Sylvester came from Connecticut he said he's enjoying the contrast in weather provided in Pensacola Beach.

"The seasons changing up there and it's getting cold. We come down here and it's summer and it's not humid. The water is gorgeous and the talent its great. It's spectacular," Sylvester said.

But tourists weren't the only ones having all the fun. Many locals say the boost the festival gives is important for the area.

"It's great, we have exposure from all around the world here and all around the states. So it's a good thing," said Shane Routh, a Gulf Breeze resident.