Fort Lauderdale is preparing for a large influx of music fans as the Tortuga Music Festival kicks off today at Fort Lauderdale Beach. WSVN reports that around 20,000 people are expected daily for the three-day event, which will feature artists like Keith Urban, Luke Combs, and Voice winner Bryce Leatherwood. Over 100,000 attendees are anticipated to visit the festival, which runs from noon to 10:30 p.m. each day.
To manage the expected traffic, Fort Lauderdale Police Sergeant Patrick O'Brien advised festivalgoers to use rideshare apps, water taxis, or public transit, as there will be no designated parking. "If you can use a rideshare app, hop on a water taxi, public transit or carpool if you can. Save yourself the hassle," O'Brien said, according to WSVN. Security will be increased with Fort Lauderdale Police present in both uniform and undercover, focusing on preventing pickpocketing. "Bottom line is, if you don’t want to lose it, don’t bring it," O'Brien added.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Kimberly Wells reminded attendees to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen, urging them to pace themselves throughout the long festival days.
In addition to the musical performances, the festival supports environmental causes. A portion of the proceeds will go to Rock the Ocean’s conservation initiatives. According to Local 10 News, past efforts have included planting 30,000 sea oats and turning festival cups into soil for community gardens.
