MIAMI (WSVN) - The party has officially started in downtown Miami, as the Ultra Music Festival kicked off for the first time since its two-year postponement.
7SkyForce hovered over Bayfront Park moments after the gates opened at Bayfront Park, at around 4 p.m., Friday. A large crowd could be seen walking into the venue.
Revelers who spoke with 7News could hardly contain their excitement.
“Let’s go!” said a woman.
”It will be amazing!” said another woman.
“We’re just happy to be here,” said a third woman.
“And it’s been two years,” said a woman as she posed with a friend.
Organizers expect about 55,000 people from around the world to pack the sold-out event each day this year, with performances on multiple stages throughout the weekend.
“[We flew] from Canada just for Ultra,” said a man.
“I came from Brazil especially for Ultra,” said festival goer Ilana Kohl.
There is considerable anticipation among attendees after two years of cancellations due to COVID-19.
“We are so happy that all the activities are coming back,” said Kohl.
“Thank God it’s back at Bayfront,” said a man. “Just trance vibes all day, man.”
“I love dance music. I love the people that come down here, and I love Miami,” said Christine Herr, who is visiting from South Dakota.
With Ultra back in downtown Miami, traffic congestion is all but certain all weekend long. The northbound lanes of Biscayne Boulevard will remain shut down from Southeast First to Northeast Fourth streets until the end of the festival, late Sunday night.
Cars will be rerouted through the southbound lanes, and drivers heading south will be rerouted west on Northeast Sixth Street.
Meanwhile, 7SkyForce showed festival goers climbing over a stalled freight train that cut right through the gridlock. The train was eventually able to keep going.
“We welcome everyone to come to downtown Miami, just pack yourselves with patience,” said City of Miami Police officer Kenia Fallat.
Drivers who spoke with 7News in the middle of rush hour were none too pleased.
“It’s terrible,” said a man.
“It’s craziness,” said a woman in Spanish.
With the festivities underway, Miami Police officers said they are prepared for the influx of people.
“We have doubled up the police presence. We’re prepared. We just want everyone to party responsibly,” said Fallat.
7News cameras showed police officers redirecting traffic.
“Couldn’t even come around. We had to make a circle and come back now on Sixth Street to get on the interstate,” said a passenger.
“For the locals, it’s tough right now, doing deliveries, DoorDash, Uber Eats and everything,” said another passenger.
Miami Fire Rescue officials said they are also geared up for whatever the weekend may bring. Nearly 100 firefighters are on standby at the festival.
“We have hazmat technicians on the scene as well, SWAT medics,” said Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez. “Anything that you could think, we have here.”
Sanchez said first responders have several ways to navigate through the masses.
“Whether it’s a scooter or foot patrol or bicyclists, we have our event rescue [vehicles] parked outside waiting to transport, so that means being able to access patients where it’s crowded,” he said.
A Miami Heat game against the New York Knicks at the FTX Arena on Friday night further increased traffic volume.
“Is there some sort of music festival somewhere?” said Heat fan Nick Tsoukales.
Heat fan Matthew Posner described the big traffic mess.
“They were blocking the crosswalk with the cars, people at the red light. It was just absolute chaos,” he said. “It’s brutal down here right now, but go Heat. Let’s go, baby, beat those Knicks.”
That was an outcome that did not come to pass. The Knicks defeated the Heat 111-103.
The message from officials remains the same it has been every Ultra weekend: have fun but be safe.
“We just want everyone to party responsibly and act accordingly,” said Fallat.
“Stay safe, everyone, and enjoy this amazing party,” said Ultra attendee Newton Catelano.
As of Friday night, paramedics have transported two people to the hospital, and they have treated several others at the festival for things like dehydration.
Friday’s festivities will wrap up at midnight. The gates will reopen at 1 p.m. on Saturday, and the festival will wrap up at midnight on Saturday and 10 p.m. on Sunday.
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