ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Thousands of music fans have crowded onto the beach in Atlantic City for a concert headlined by Maroon 5.

Maroon 5 performs on the beach in Atlantic City
Maroon 5 performs on the beach in Atlantic City (Heather DeLuca, Townsquare Media NJ)
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The show is part of the struggling resort town's efforts to capitalize on entertainment offerings beyond its casinos. Concertgoers packed the boardwalk before Sunday afternoon's show and local businesses reported lots of customers.

It drew a diverse audience of more than 50,000 people, as fans young and old sought out prime beach viewing spots.

That concert and another one on Thursday — featuring Rascal Flatts — were expected to draw about 100,000 people overall at a venue that stretches five city blocks.

The shows also created dozens of temporary jobs and provided work for laborers needed to construct the concert stage, hang lights and do other tasks.

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