FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Rock the Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival opened Saturday morning on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
The event is based at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, 1100 Seabreeze Boulevard, and runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets start at $99, not including shuttle fees.
"We're building a world class music festival here," said Chris Stacey, founder of the Rock the Ocean Foundation and the Tortuga Music Festival.
About 20,000 people are expected to attend the two day event, which is hosting a diverse group of some of the biggest names in the music industry.
Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, The Avid Brothers, Jake Owen, Lynard Skynard, Michael Franti, and Sister Hazel are among 23 groups scheduled to perform.
The bands will perform across three stages.
"The number one thing we're trying to do is raise awareness for marine conservation. At minimum, were going to make a $50,000 donation to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, at minimum," said Stacey.
In addition, they'll have a conservation village smack in the middle of the event, featuring exhibits from a bunch of wildlife and marine groups.
This event is happening in the middle of turtle nesting season, but the event producers are aware and plan to bring in rolling fences to accommodate any turtles.
Crews will be setting up on the strip of beach along the Sheraton on A1A until it's time for the multi-million dollar show to kick off on Saturday.