Las Cruces Country Music Festival kicks off Friday evening

Friday evening kicked off a two-day country music festival in downtown Las Cruces.

The Friday show was sold out and 5,000 fans were expected to attend.

As the gates opened country music fans trickled in.

“I’m really excited to see Travis Tritt tonight,” said Javier Diaz.

The two-day country music festival showcased some local artists and plenty of local flavor as well.

This is the Las Cruces Country Music Festival’s fifth year running and organizers say last year people came in from 26 states which is good for business.

“Last year we had about give or take $550,000 worth of economic impact from both locals and people who visited from out of town. We’re expecting to surpass those numbers this year,” said Chris Favre, director of marketing for Las Cruces.

Country music fans said they liked the lineup including three-time country music award winner Tanya Tucker and two-time Grammy award-winning Travis Tritt.

Many also said they enjoyed the layout of the festival.

“They have a different stage in the back so now you have variety.You can listen to one(band) go to the back buy some food and then listen to some other band,” said Iris Marines.

It wasn’t long before couples took to the dance floor and put their cowboy boots to use.

The winds did kick up from time to time but do you think that bothered anyone?

“It doesn’t matter. It makes us comfortable, we’re still here to listen to music and have a good time,” Marines said.

The festival continues Saturday. Gates open at 4 p.m. with several bands and headliner Kacey Musgraves.