South Florida braces for influx of crowds for Rolling Loud music festival

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida – A hugely popular music festival returns to Hard Rock Stadium this weekend as COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket in South Florida.

The Rolling Loud hip hop festival is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans from across the country starting Friday, and officials will have their hands full.

Post Malone, Travis Scott and Megan Thee Stallion are just a few of the big names at the three-day festival.

Tickets are already sold out.

Miami Police Chief Art Acevedo said his officers would be out in force despite the city still on alert for protests related to Cuba.

“We are still on a modified tactical alert in the city due to the series of protests across the city,” he said.

The city of Miami Beach expects festival crowds all weekend long.

Miami Beach Police told Local 10 that its 400 officers will be working 12-hour shifts starting Friday.

Bridgette Matter of Local 10 News sat down with Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber to discuss the crowds and general crime.

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“Strangely enough, our number of crimes is not increasing,” he said. “I always feel that there are parts of the city that are not safe.”

Gelber stressed that COVID-19 is a major concern in the aftermath of the festival.

“We currently have a peak positivity of over 8% with Covid, and people are going to the hospital in droves,” he said.

Gelber says people who are on the move should take appropriate precautions to protect their health.

Their biggest concern right now is the increase in traffic.

Some Miami Beach residents have expressed concern over the increase in crowds during a peak in Covid cases.

“I hope everyone takes the proper precautions, wear your mask,” resident Kim Fields said.

Others along South Beach believe the weekend will be a good opportunity for local businesses to cash in.

“This is going to be a lot of good income for anyone in the service industry,” said Jacob Bacaner.