ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 Analysts are predicting the Rolling Loud Music Festival will have a $200 million economic impact on Orlando\u2019s economy, thanks to an estimated 200,000 visitors who are expected to attend. <\/p>\n
\u201cDinner was probably $700 something,\u201d said Allissa, a woman who traveled from South Dakota with a group of friends to attend the festival.<\/p>\n
David Johnston and his friend Kenny Jimenez traveled from Tampa, Florida. Johnston said they spent quite a bit on several Rolling Loud-related expenses. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re probably like $1500 deep on the Airbnb, drinks, the actual tickets alone, food,\u201d said Johnston. \u201cLike yesterday, probably on my bar tab alone, I spent like $300, and those are all the bars lining up and down Church Street. I\u2019ve never been here before, so they would have never got my business if it wasn\u2019t for Rolling Loud.\u201d <\/p>\n
The three-day hip-hop music festival has been a mainstay in Miami since 2015, when it began as a one-day event. Over the years, it grew into a three-day attraction featuring mainstream and independent artists from all over the world. <\/p>\n
Rolling Loud organizers moved the event to Orlando because they wanted to expand the festival\u2019s reach. <\/p>\n
65,000 fans are expected to attend each day of the festival. Church Street bars are hoping to draw some of the crowds into their establishments. <\/p>\n
\u201cEven if we get 10% of that crowd, it\u2019s going to be a very good night for us, \u201c said Justin Roller with Broken Strings Brewery. <\/p>\n
Earlisha Gillum, owner of Miami Food E&J, a popular food truck with locations in Jacksonville and Miami, made the trip to Orlando specifically to set up shop outside of Camping World Stadium. She said she did well financially, but the people made the trip worthwhile.\u201cThe people, they\u2019re very nice and kind, \u201c said Gillum. \u201cIt was a great vibe.\u201d <\/p>\n
It could be weeks before final economic numbers are available. <\/p>\n
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