Local businesses welcome Monterey Jazz Festival

The 57th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival kicked off Friday at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. Over 35,000 jazz lovers are expected to attend this weekend, and that means big money for local businesses.

“This year has increased 10 percent more than last year,” said Mihir Patel.

Patel works at a local inn right down the street from the festival. He said some guests book a year in advance, most of them he sees every year.

“There almost like family,” said Patel.

Family who spend a lot of money. Just down the street a local diner has stocked up on extra burgers and fries for this busy weekend.

“The jazz festival brings a big crowd to Monterey,” said Gina Perez.

Perez owns a local diner within walking distance from the fairgrounds. She said because of the event they have to hire more employees.

“We always bring in four or five people more than normal,” said Perez.

That’s because business is anything but normal during the jazz festival.

The Monterey Jazz festival runs through Sunday night. Proceeds from the event help fund jazz education programs for music students in Monterey County.