Thousands expected to attend Ultra Music Fest

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Preparations are well underway for this weekend's big show in Downtown Miami.

The countdown is on for tomorrow's start of the Ultra Music Festival, where tens of thousands are expected to arrive in Miami for one of the world's largest electronic music festivals.

Ultra in Miami will be vibrating to the beats of the best in electronic dance music. Anthony Euro, an Ultra attendee, said, "They say it's going to be the best, so just have fun."

Another attendee added, "It's like the end of the world and everybody is celebrating it."

Thousands of people from around the world will fill Bayfront Park, where there will be at least three stages of simultaneous acts.

An Ultra attendee said, "Then there are also parties going on around, so it's going to be fun as well."

As if it cannot get any bigger than Madonna making a surprise appearance last year, the Ultra Music Festival has added another full weekend. Allan Kotlior, another Ultra attendee said, "I think it's the hype from previous years and the lineup this year."

It's a pricey venue for the magic city, which makes for some pricey tickets. "I think for one weekend, the total is $700," said Kotlior, "easy."

To keep the thousands of fans under control, Miami Police will work with private security to keep everyone as safe as possible. Miami Police Sgt. Freddie Cruz said, "We're gonna have over 200 uniformed officers as well as undercover officers within the actual concert area referencing any complaints of narcotics usage or sales. We're also working hand-in-hand with outside agents."

They will be watching for any abuse of popular club drugs that might occur during the festival. Kotlior said he does not expect to see rampant drug use, however. "I've been in this type of crowd," he said. "They're well-composed people. They're just out of their minds. They're just minding their business and listening to music."

Ultra dates are from March 15 - 17 and March 22 - 24.

Traffic plans will go into place Friday at 9 a.m. Any vehicular traffic traveling southbound on Biscayne Boulevard will be forced to turn right on Northeast Fourth Street. Traffic will go west until Northeast Second Avenue where you will turn left and continue to go southbound on Northeast Second Avenue. All side streets are completely open to traffic, the only difference this year is that the southbound lanes of Biscayne will all be used to send vehicles northbound only.

This traffic pattern will be maintained throughout the weekend. Traffic goes back to normal on Monday at 6:00am. until the following weekend when the same traffic plan goes back into effect.

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