Pensacola Beach facing busiest weekend

PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. - The crowds started coming in early Thursday morning. As the fireworks go off this weekend on Pensacola Beach, the businesses around here will also be booming.

Mike McLauglin runs Lee Tracy Apparel on the boardwalk and all week, it seems he can't put enough employees on the floors. He said, "Fourth of July is the weekend! The people are here already. We've been full all week long. I got 23 employees on the floor over the next three days, need more in here right now."

This weekend is the busiest weekend all year for Pensacola Beach businesses. The Fourth of July celebration is expected to bring in close to 100,000 people to the beach.

Doug McAllister has organized the Kaboom fireworks show, he said, "They told me the Fourth of July is a bigger retail day than Blue Angels."

McLaughlin said, "This weekend and the next week with Blue Angels, it will be 30-percent of summer volume in two weeks."

Organizers believe the cash will be rolling in for the whole three day celebration. The festivities begin Thursday night. For details go to http://www.PensacolaBeachFireworks.com/ .

Pensacola Beach Fireworks Show

The Fourth of July celebrations start Thursday night in Pensacola. It's kicked off with a baseball game, but the big celebration is on Saturday. It's something organizers have been planning all year.

The crowds started arriving on Pensacola Beach early Thursday morning. The beaches are packed with folks here to celebrate the fourth. This Saturday evening, thousands will watch fireworks light up the sky at Pensacola Beach.

Doug McAlister organized the event, he said, "When we take into account everybody at hotels, condos and those that live here, its packed, we think there will be close to 75,000 or 80,000 people."

With so many people in a small area, It's not easy planning an event like this. McAlister said, "We've been working with Pensacola beach chamber, island authority, folks at Escambia county to make sure we have all permitting in place."

One of the big concerns is safety, that's why there will be extra deputies out to make sure everything runs smoothly.

McAlister said, "We worked hard with Escambia County sheriff's office, they'll be out in full force, at least 18 deputies out in the area where fireworks are, and on the beach all day long."

More lifeguards will also be patrolling the beaches, making sure everyone has a fun, and safe holiday weekend. The show starts at 9:00.