ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Fringe Festival is back, showcasing art, music, theater, and so much more during its two-week run.

 It’s the longest running fringe fest in the country and thousands of people are expected to attend.

 About 5,000 people attended just the first two opening days.

 But by the time the festival wraps in two weeks, anywhere between 50,000 to 70000 people will have attended. 

Although live theater is the bulk of it with more than 120 shows and 1,600 performers, organizers also planned free music and art exhibits. 

 Fringe festivals let artists perform without censorship and they’re more accessible.

 That’s why the festival’s artistic director Tempestt Halstead said 100 percent of ticket sales are going back to the artists.

“It can be really expensive and unaffordable to produce new works,” Halstead said. “So, this platform is giving an opportunity to all artists in a very low risk, affordable environment to take risk and explore and push the limits as to what’s possible with art.”

Since all the ticket sales go to the artists, people are required to buy a $10 button to access the shows. That money goes directly to supporting Orlando Fringe and their operations.

The festival doesn’t wrap up until May 26, with shows, programs, and an art exhibit inside Orlando Shakes.