The big weekend that’s expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people to downtown Minneapolis is here.

Early Friday morning, Minneapolis was full of “Swifties” ahead of Taylor Swift’s concerts at U.S. Bank Stadium.

City officials say they’re expecting around half a million people downtown this weekend for the Swift concert and the Twin Cities Pride Festival.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke with some fans who waited in line Friday morning to get Taylor Swift merchandise and said they’ve been waiting years to go to her show. One mother from St. Louis, Mo., said she’d been in line since 1 a.m.

“Hanging out, chilling, slept in the chair, walked around a bit . . . All this to get merchandise, all this to get the coveted blue crewneck sweatshirt for my daughters,” Erin Johnson said.

Between the concerts and Pride, anyone coming downtown is urged to plan ahead for the extra congestion.

Metro Transit announced extended service for anyone who wants to utilize public transportation. City officials also discussed their safety plan and said the 311 non-emergency number hours are being extended. While the influx of people downtown could lead to some congestion, businesses say they’re excited about the added traffic.

For Swiftie Lizzy Kremer, being able to attend the show is beyond her Wildest Dreams. Her father spent hours online in November to get tickets.

“She’s hitting all of her albums in one show, you can’t not [attend],” said Kremer. “She’s pretty amazing for putting on a three-hour show every single weekend for the last two months. That takes a lot of energy.”

Kremer and other fans told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they appreciate the artist’s music because her lyrics are relatable.

“Her songwriting style is so good,” said Kassandra Vilchis. “When you’re reading the lyrics, you feel like you’re swept away in the moment of her words. I feel like everything is so relatable not just for women but for people, it feels like you’re writing someone’s diary sometimes.”

Fans who gathered on the plaza exchanged friendship bracelets with each other, a tradition based on a Swift song lyric. Concert-goers dressed in colorful outfits based on their favorite Swift album.  

Vilchis, of Burnsville, is attending both nights with friend Kate Owens. The pair connected through a Taylor Swift Facebook group. This is the first concert they’re attending together.

“Taylor hasn’t toured since Reputation so this is just a really big deal for everybody,” said Vilchis.

Owens called the experience “surreal.”

“We’ve waited so long and it’s finally here,” she said. “Before it was even announced, we started saving up our money because we knew whatever it was coming, we were going to do what needed to be done to be here.”

Lena Lewin drove up from Iowa to stay with relative Carly Davis in Minneapolis. They attended to concert together.

“I love that she stands up for women’s rights, gay rights, she stands up for all people all the time,” said Davis. “She’s all about love and acceptance that’s just amazing to me.”

Lewin added, “It’s so accepting. Everyone is just so happy to be here. Everyone is so nice and friendly to each other.”