Coachella concert goers arrive in the desert

The music doesn’t start until Friday, but people are already lining up and pitching tents for the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio.

Campers lined up along Avenue 50 this morning and afternoon waiting to get into the Empire Polo Club.

“We have have eight camping spots, with all our friends from Chico, we just really excited, we have done this before it’s couple of friends first time, but we are just excited to be with our friends and see some bands,” said Alexsus Ferguson who was packing a car in the Ralph’s parking lot near the Empire Polo Club.

“I’ve been going since ’07, and this whole crew all kind of met because we all went by ourselves and then we all started camping together, then there was this ridiculous synergy and everyone comes together,” said Sean Fortier who drove out from Irvine.

“With camping no one has to drive you meet people you rough it, but it’s just a lot of fun,” said Parker Haney from San Francisco.

Expect local restaurants to be crowded this weekend.

“We get a little bit busy when they come in for the lunches on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and we are doing breakfast on Sunday so hopefully we’ll get a good rush then as well,” said Brittny Bisenman who is a waitress at Mario’s Italian Cafe in Indio.

Local businesses as far away as Palm Springs are benefiting from the many music lovers.

“We are fully committed for the weekend we are for every Coachella, we have a shuttle bus service that takes guests out to the grounds and back so they don’t have to drive, it’s pretty effortless,” said Michael Von Wittenau, marketing director for The Saguaro Palm Springs. This hotel is a 40 minute drive from the Empire Polo Club.

There will be another weekend of the Coachella Festival next week before Stagecoach fans roll into town.