SXSW crowds are here!

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Nearly 200,000 people are expected at the 10 day South by SouthWest Festival . Thursday, many of them started showing up.

"There is so much it's just overwhelming," said Jackie Doherty. "I think tonight is just going through everything and figuring out where we start."

It was a busy afternoon at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport . Officials there compare the next two weekends to travel during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

"Everybody has rubbed it in my face the last couple of years. Finally get my chance to come down," said Robery Hayes.

Hayes is visiting for the first time from Canada.

"Here to see what's out there," he said. "Heard wonderful things about it (Austin). It's the Toronto of Texas they say. I feel at home."

Those coming in town this coming weekend are mainly here for the Interactive and Film portion of the festival.

"I'm just hoping to learn some stuff. Network," Doherty said. "My husband and I are developing an App, so this is another way to learn everything there is to learn."

The Interactive portion of the festival has expanded in attendance this year by about 30%. There's so much growth, organizers had to expand to nine buildings. That's compared to last year's four.

"When I booked my schedule I signed up for 83 things," said Kirstin Butler.

Butler is using the weekend to catch up with her girlfriends from all over the country.

"It's like a reunion in the middle....with barbecue," said Jessie Arrington. "A lot of my favorite people are here."

"I feel like it's going to be Mardis Gras for super nerdy people. I consider myself one," she said as she chuckled.

• SXSW Interactive runs from March 11th-15th
• SXSW Film runs from March 11th-19th
• SXSW Music runs from March 15th-20th