Excited Indio residents bought strawberry tamales from one vendor at a gas station Friday before the business even had a chance to set up at the Indio International Tamale Festival.

Robb Adams-Salazaar, owner of Lake Elsinore- based El Señor Tamale, considered that a good sign.

“The economy is not so good, but people are always going to buy what they want to buy,” he said.

El Señor Tamale is one of about 70 tamale vendors arriving for the festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday in downtown Indio.

Setup was Friday as the city prepared for an expected 125,000 people.

Parking will be available at the Larson Justice Center, with shuttles taking attendees to the festival grounds.

If you go

What: Indio International Tamale Festival

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday

Where: south of Indio Boulevard between Fargo and Oasis streets

Admission: Free