DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – One of the country’s largest rock music festivals kicks off Thursday in Daytona Beach, bringing more than 160 bands, hundreds of thousands of fans — and potentially record-breaking heat.
Welcome to Rockville, now in its sixth year at Daytona International Speedway, is expecting its largest crowd in event history, with more than 200,000 attendees expected over four days. But as fans pour into the speedway, organizers and first responders say their focus will be just as much on the crowd as on the performances.
“This is one of the biggest four days for rock music in the world,” said Chamie McCurry of Danny Wimmer Presents, the festival’s organizer.
The heat has proven to be a serious challenge for the event in the past, with heat-related medical emergencies reported during last year’s festival. McCurry says organizers took note and have spent the months since making adjustments.
“We learned a lot last year and have applied that knowledge and obviously checking the weather, making adjustments everyday,” McCurry said.
This year, organizers added more shade structures, misters and fans throughout the venue, along with additional free water stations. Some performances and activities have also been moved inside the speedway to give fans a break from the sun.
“We’ve enhanced and brought in more free water stations, brought in more shade structures and more misters and fans throughout the site,” McCurry said.
Fans are already arriving in Daytona Beach from around the world, and many say they’re coming prepared for Florida’s intense spring heat.
“Drink lots of water and drink lots of water with other additives in it! Stay in shape,” said James, a festivalgoer from Canada.
Organizers are also urging attendees to download the official Welcome to Rockville app, where real-time weather notices and alerts will be posted throughout the weekend.