How big is ACL's economic impact for the Austin area?
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Whether you go to the Austin City Limits Music Festival, or don't, it's hard to deny the amount of money it brings to Central Texas.
"Come here with no plans. Just walk around, get some food. The alcohol is good," one man told KXAN on Friday afternoon.
As ACL weekends return to Austin, thousands of people are expected to descend upon Zilker Park for the annual music festival.
"Take it in as much as you can," one woman said. "Hydrate, stay cool, as much as you can."
All those festivalgoers mean major dollar signs for Central Texas.
"This is another event that is bringing in a lot of people from outside the area," said Matt Patton, executive vice president of Angeloueconomics. "They are spending their money here rather than spending it elsewhere."
The annual Austin festival dates back to 2002. Since tracking of ACL's economic impact began in 2006, it's estimated the festival has brought in more than $3.5 billion to the greater Austin area.
You can follow that money trail way outside the park itself.
"Food and beverage, hospitality, rental car and folks coming in and seeing the other tourist attractions," Patton explained.
ACL is just one of many events that has a ripple effect across the metro.
"It's a great opportunity for the city to showcase itself and turn some of these maybe once-a-year visitors into repeat tourists," Patton said.
Others said ACL is a staple where the music performances can give way for a return visit.
"For a person that's never been, they have to check it out," a man told KXAN. "The weather is usually kind of warm, but it's never a bad idea to come here."
You can find a complete section of KXAN's ACL coverage here.