People come for the music and the parties.

“This is the only place in the World where you can get this music,” said Drew Craig, in town for SXSW.

Those who come into Austin for South by Southwest can start early and last late into the night.

“We wake up and a bunch of them have free food, free booze, (and) free music of course,” said Oscar Zubia, SXSW fan.

The bands play all day long.  For some the drinking starts early, too.

“An hour-and-a-half and all I can say is, ‘That’s too much for me’, “ said Craig.

The alcohol was flowing freely Wednesday afternoon at most of the bars where band play during the festival.  That was exactly was some festival fans wanted.

“I’m really trying to go all in with the seeing of the bands and the drinking,” said Joe Nicolosi, in town for SXSE.

Even fans that don’t usually drink say they were letting loose for the festival.

“I’m not a bid drinker, so it’s not that big of a deal for me, but I do enjoy it,” said a festival fan who would only identify himself as Jay.  “It’s free alcohol.”

All the alcohol and the partying in downtown has Austin police stepping up street patrol.  Over the first weekend of SXSW, there were only seven extra DWI arrests.  Usually, APD records 75 arrests on a typical weekend.  There were 82 on the first weekend.

Most people we found drinking and listening to the music told us they have a plan to stay clear of trouble. For those without a safe ride, police are doubling their street presence.  While there is typically an increase in street patrol Wednesday through Friday, the increase this time, during SXSW, will continue through Sunday when the festival ends.