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EDC: Thousands fill Tinker Field for electronic music festival

ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of people descended on Orlando's historic Tinker Field Friday for the 7th annual Electric Daisy Carnival.

EDC, which is known for dazzling lights and colorful costumes, is among the world's largest electronic dance music festivals.

This is the third year Orlando has hosted the two-day event.

Police said drug use is common among festival goers and signs were posted around the event warning of the danger of using drugs during the event.

Some attendees had candid conversations with WFTV's Steve Barrett Friday about the drug scene at the EDC event.

When asked about the best part of the event, one reveler was quite blunt.

"Getting f***ed up, basically," they said. "The music, the good vibes."

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Another EDC attendee painted a picture of the free-wheeling atmosphere of the EDC.

"What's it all about? Good music, fun times. (Being) with your friends. Being able to express yourself however you want," they said. "No one cares. You can wear whatever you want and no one cares."

The Orlando Fire Department's medical tent for last year's event blocked a stretch of South Tampa Avenue, which caused headaches for some business owners.

Tony Williams, who owns a barber shop on that street, said he's relieved that the medical tent for this year's festival has been set up at Camping World Stadium.

"They shut me down for two days (last year)," Williams said. "The city really did good by (me) this year. I won't be blocked off. There will be some traffic, but it'll flow."

Firefighters didn't specify why each person received medical attention.

On opening night Friday, several people were taken away in ambulances.

Parking attendant Colby Hollerman said he and his co-workers found one girl in desperate need of medical attention.

"I don't know what happened," Hollerman said. "She had a lot of blood all over her face.

"She wasn't conscious at first and one of my co-workers, we were shaking her from the window and I ran and got help right away."

During an EDC event in Las Vegas in May, at least 1,000 people needed medical attention, officials said.

The event runs from 1 p.m. until midnight both days.