Courtesy EDC Website and Insomniac.com
The Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) converged on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Friday, June 24, 2011. Young party-goers emerged in what promised to be an endless procession of a fuzzy-booted army. Predictions for the attendeeship topped out at 80 to 100, 000 people. EDC is one of the largest raves in the world, and for the last 14 years it has made its home in Los Angeles, Calif. At least until a 15-year-old girl died from a drug overdose. In addition to several other locations nationwide, the festival has now made itself at home in the North American party capital, Las Vegas. This year it is 18-years-old and up with strictly enforced no-drug tolerance policies. The festival will continue for another two days and runs from 8 p.m. until sunrise. Ticket prices are steep, but apparently worth it to the electronic music enthusiast. <8-/
As I arrived (very early), I could feel the vibrations of anticipation building in the air. Since, I was NOT about to pay $200 to get in simply to take pictures/video, I made do with what was happening outside the racetrack. Although, internally the atmosphere and carnage was likely to soon resemble a Roman gladiator arena of 264 B.C., the festival is meant to be a gathering of acceptance and tolerance for all. Personally, I can’t tolerate a crowd of that size!
Courtesy EDC Website and Insomniac.com
With an army of staff, police and EMT/ambulances in attendance, it was clear that Vegas was looking out for the young and the restless this year, actively encouraging crowd members to stay hydrated, and not with alcohol. When I began filming the excitement was palpable and there was a steady stream of cars flowing into the parking lot for as far as the eye could see. As I took my leave, there was still an endless line-up coming down the road. As you will plainly see in the video, which I only had a few minutes to shoot, I must have missed a good thing because I was THE ONLY ONE trying to get out!!
A word to the wise–if you are attending the EDC festivities make sure you are gone baby gone by 6 a.m., because that my dears, is when the city begins towing vehicles without fail!!!