Sunset Music Festival took place over Memorial Day Weekend at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, where over 50,000 people attended.
Unfortunately, 32 attendees were transported to hospitals on Saturday alone, having temperatures reach over 90. Although there were free water stations, cooling areas, and shade, dehydration and intoxication were the main causes for the 65 attendees that were treated on site for medical attention. Information indicates that very few transports were drug-related.
Authorities are still waiting to receive the final numbers of attendees hospitalized on Sunday.
According to Tampa Police Department Public Information Officer Stephen Hegarty, there were 30 felony arrests and 16 misdemeanor arrests. This year SMF enforced a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, yet arrests were 13 more than last year. There were 47 ejections from the festival as well as five citations for possession of marijuana.
Officer Stephen Hegarty told ABC News that there were “no major criminal incidents on either day of the festival.”
“Protecting the health, safety and welfare of our fans and our community is Sunset MusicFestival’s (SMF) top priority,” said SMF promoter John Santoro. “SMF has worked successfully in collaboration with Tampa Sports Authority (TSA), Tampa Police Department (TPD) and Tampa Fire Rescue (TFR), to create and maintain a safe environment at this year’s festival. Our W increased security measures kept fans safe; additional medical personnel and hydration strategies kept fans healthy. While any medical incidents are unfortunate, we are pleased that all medical incidents at this year’s Festival were non-life- threatening and consistent with medical incidents typical to large events. SMF pays for all medical and safety resources, at and beyond the levels prescribed to us by TPD, TFR and TSA, in order to meet anticipated Festival demands and not overtax city resources.”
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