Lora Nunn of Ann Arbor lounged on her blanket Tuesday, soaking in the sunny weather as she listened to InSol, one of her favorite festival bands.
Nunn, 25, said she like the open feel of Lansing's Common Ground festival at Adado Riverfront Park.
"It's summertime, it's outdoors and you want to be listening to music," she said.
Nunn was among the estimated 8,000 people who attended the opening of the six-day festival. Organizers expected more than 50,000 people to attend the six-day event, which could mean $2.6 million for the local economy.
Organizers said opening day went without any major problems.
"It's a combination of good music, plenty of food and- what we feel is most unique- it's interactive," said Raul Alvarez, a festival spokesman.
Alvarez estimated through a gate count and ticket sales that more than 8,000 people came to Tuesday's opening to experience the happenings and listen to the live music of InSol, Styx and the Doobie Brothers.
"They came through the gates on the west side, immediately to their left they see music," he said.
"As they keep going south, there's the main acts and there's food all around. There's people walking and eating the great food and drinking the wine and beer."
For Bobbi Schirk, a massage from her husband, Andre, made the 20-minute wait to get into the festival more relaxing.
After finally dropping off the lawn chairs by the main stage, Andre, 54, stood in line for two turkey melts, iced tea, lemonade and potato ships- a $12 meal.
"You expect it when you come to these events," he said.
Surrounded by 26 businesses under 44 tents, six ice cream carts and two concession stands, the Schirks joined thousands of other festival-goers in front of the main stage. Abby Feguer, 18. Of Holt, found herself going through the festival's merchandise- ranging from $1 Common Ground tattoo to a $35 orange or blue fleece- before pulling on an $18 long-sleeve T-shirt, which she thought was priced right.
"They have something for everybody," she said. "It took me two seconds. I knew exactly what I wanted."
Mayor David Hollister, who was walking around Tuesday night talking with festivalgoers, was glad that he hadn't heard a complaint.
"We had to have a good first night," he said. "In a event like this, people are going to go back and talk about the skate park or they're going to talk about the activities for the children or the food, and that will bring back other people.
Alvarez credits the festival's early success to the number of activities geared to the differing ages, including skateboarding and rollerblading tricks on a quarter pipe and golfing competition.
"This is big family party because we're trying to get everyone involved," he said. "The music is just one part of it."
Dan and Deb Klauka go to festivals, like Common Ground, to share moments with their children and to listen to classic rock.
"We like to be outside and bring the whole family," Deb Klauka said. "It's kind of nice to be in a laid back atmosphere."
With a smile on her face, their 3-year-old daughter, Paige, was greeted by Lansing's Recycling character Re-Pete as she entered the festival.
The Klaukas plan to bring Paige back later in the week to see the Rockin' Scooby Show, which starts Saturday.
Today, the festival includes Celtic music played by The Lash and alternative music by Verve Pipe and Grand Rapids-based Domestic Problems.