‘Happy for the sunshine’: Daytona’s Welcome to Rockville rolled despite extreme heat wave

‘Happy for the sunshine’: Daytona’s Welcome to Rockville rolled despite extreme heat waveJim Abbott
 
Daytona Beach News-Journal
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Two fans offer their review of Welcome to Rockville in Daytona BeachFriends Alexis Lynch (at right) and Haleigh Dawson offer a rave review of Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach.Welcome to Rockville, a four-day rock festival, took place at Daytona International Speedway despite high temperatures.The festival likely broke its previous attendance record, with an expected 55,000 fans daily.Organizers adjusted policies due to the heat, including eliminating the no re-entry rule and lowering water prices.Medical tents saw increased activity due to heat-related issues, emphasizing the importance of hydration.DAYTONA BEACH — In the marathon battle between heat and heavy metal, rock ‘n’ roll prevailed as Welcome to Rockville roared through four days of music from more than 150 bands against a backdrop of triple-digit heat index values across the sweltering infield at Daytona International Speedway.“You guys are badasses,” proclaimed Everclear singer Art Alexakis, acknowledging the 90+ degree temperatures during that band’s midday set on Friday. “Give yourself a big hand for rock ‘n’ roll.”Those temperatures would continue to soar into the mid-90s through the weekend, but it didn’t seem to deter the crowds that massed in front of the festival stages, created long lines at souvenir stands and water refill stations, not to mention packing every inch of the expanded shade structures that became almost as popular as the bands.Although official attendance figures hadn’t yet been announced, there was every indication that the event would reach its anticipated goal of another record-setting turnout.Expectations ahead of the event were for daily crowds of 55,000 fans. That pace would yield a record turnout that would surpass the more than 200,000 fans at last year’s event, according to Los Angeles-based promoter Danny W