Tonight’s benefit Vince Gill concert at the Pinehurst Village Arboretum is turning into an even bigger party than expected.

It actually starts in the historic downtown, where shops are offering specials to ticket-holders.

From the heart of the village, free shuttles will transport anybody who doesn’t care to make the short walk, but organizers say it should be an enjoyable stroll with other fans of the Hall of Fame country star.

Gill is donating the performance to benefit The First Tee Sandhills, an organization that teaches character development and provides educational opportunities through the game of golf. It serves more than 1,000 children ages 5-18 in the area.

While all the VIP seats are long gone, plenty of tickets remain in the Arboretum general admission area.

“The parking lots open at 3, the gates at 5, rain or shine,” said Dick Pitassy, a volunteer who has been helping The First Tee sponsors. “We have T-shirts, tickets, Talbert’s Barbecue. We have Coldstone Creamery out there. The show is going to start around 7:45 and last about two hours.”

Tickets are $25 for walk-up traffic today, and will be sold at the box office just across from the Arboretum entrance.

“Bring your ice chest — with whatever you like inside,” Pitassy said. “We don’t search ’em. Bring your beach chairs. Have a good time and help a good cause.”