With Hurricane Rita's threat to Austin reduced as it veers east of its earlier projected path, Austin City Limits Music Festival organizers and city officials said Thursday that the nearly sold-out event would go on today through Sunday.

"There's very, very little chance of rain," said festival co-producer Charlie Jones of Capital Sports and Entertainment Inc. at a Thursday evening news conference. "All our event models pay very close attention to safety."

Weather services forecast possible thunderstorms and winds up to 22 mph for late today and early Saturday. Industry experts said the truss towers used to build temporary outdoor stages like the ones used at the Zilker Park festival become worrisome with winds at about 40 mph.

"We made this decision at the right time," Mayor Will Wynn said. "In no way will the City of Austin abdicate our responsibility for public safety at this event. Many of us have been striving to get back to normal. This is a good way."

So far, only seven acts have canceled their performances, mostly because of travel difficulties. Festival organizers have replaced all the canceled acts, including Nashville, Tenn., favorite Mindy Smith. When Iguanas guitarist Joe Cabral, evacuated to Austin from New Orleans, found out Thursday afternoon that Smith was forced to cancel, he put together a band calling itself The Texiles, featuring members of the Iguanas, the Radiators and Peter Gabriel's band.

With so many hurricane evacuees in town, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services plans to reduce its presence at the festival. Although medical personnel will be stationed at Zilker Park, ambulances will not, said Chris Callsen, senior division commander for EMS.

"They cannot count on our resources being committed to the event," Callsen said.

EMS Assistant Director Gordon Bergh said the department is preparing to respond to a major humanitarian event. It will have additional ambulances available in anticipation of severe weather and will be able to respond to emergency calls from the festival.

ACL fest's first official event, the Soundcheck Gala benefit concert for KLRU-TV, took place as scheduled Thursday night at Zilker Park, with attendees — who paid about $500 a ticket — enjoying cocktails, dinner and music by John Prine and Robert Earl Keen. Both are scheduled to perform at the festival.

Hurricane Rita was the talk of the event.

"I almost feel guilty being here; this is such a treat, and folks are sitting in traffic on highways heading north" Patti Thurman said. She and husband David plan to arm themselves with ponchos and umbrellas in case the rains hit.

John O'Hagen worried about the park grounds. "As I was walking in, it did occur to me that this could be awfully muddy," he said.

Nashville musician Billy Prine, brother of John Prine, was relieved nothing was canceled but added that he should have packed his swimming trunks.

Although nervous about the weather Thursday, many artists and fans had taken a wait-and-see approach to the festival.

"There's been so much preparation and so many people involved, that we're crossing our fingers and hoping it comes off as planned," said Christina Marrs of the Austin band Asylum Street Spankers, scheduled to play Saturday at Austin Ventures stage.

Some fans canceled their travel plans because of weather forecasts. Zak Stambor, a Washington D.C., writer, intended to attend with two friends from Chicago. He decided Thursday morning not to come.

"We had everything planned in June," he said. "Last night we were talking, and looking at the weather channels, we decided that sitting through the rain and the wind isn't worth it. But I wish (festival organizers) would (have made) an announcement before 6:30 p.m. (Thursday) for out-of-towners."

It's festival or bust for other visitors.

"We considered canceling the trip," said Sammy Glidden, 33, of Minneapolis, who is and part of a group of 12 who checked into La Quinta near the Capitol on Thursday afternoon. "But we knew regardless that we'd make our fun wherever we go."

If it rains, traveling partner Daniel Renner, 33, also of Minneapolis, said it won't matter. "I'll lay down in a ditch if I have to. We'll just slide around in the mud."

Food and retail vendors continued to make preparations for potential wind and rains.

"We've taken extra tarps and ropes to tie things together, and the restaurant group has discussed ways to exit quickly," said Jeff Blank, owner of Hudson's on the Bend.

"We may get a little bit of rain, but we need that," he added.

At each step along the way, festival organizers worked closely with Austin officials to assess weather-related safety concerns. According to its contract with festival producers, the city received $21,680 for use of Zilker Park plus expenses, which is comparable to the fees paid by other local organizations, such as Austin Symphony Orchestra for its annual Fourth of July concert in the park. Additionally, $2 from each three-day pass is sent to the city — more than $120,000 — for park improvements.

Organizers of the Pecan Street Festival, scheduled for this weekend on East Sixth Street with dozens of arts, crafts and food retailers, along with performance stages, are also watching the skies closely.

"Obviously, our main concern is the safety of the artists and vendors and the people who come out for the festival," said Rachel Hullie, arts and crafts coordinator for Road Star Productions, which stages the street festival.

"Clearly we're not going to put people's lives in danger. Right now we'll go ahead as planned."

Additional material from staff writers Kate Alexander, Michael Corcoran, Ricardo Gándara, Pamela LeBlanc and Dale Rice.