Ultra Weekend Comes To A Smooth Close
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – After three days of electronic dance music pulsating through the streets of Downtown Miami, Ultra is coming to a smooth close.
Unlike last year when a number of incidents almost lead to the cancellation of the event, this year city of Miami officials say it was smooth sailing.
Before the festival ended, some late comers tried to squeeze in just a little more music.
"I'm excited! I'm ready! I came a little bit late today because I'm still trying to recover from the past two days but definitely ready!" said Michael Pagan.
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Others could not stick around till the end.
"I have a flight early tomorrow," said Kayla Hill, who's heading back home to Canada.
Some of the world's best known DJs closed out the dance music festival: David Guetta, Skrillex, Nicky Romero and Kygo.
Before they took the stage, Nicky Romero and Kygo talked to CBS4 News about the excitement of being in the elite group of DJs chosen to perform.
"To be here in person and to actually get a chance to play it's just, yeah, a dream come true," said Kygo.
"I think it is one of the most important festivals of the world as everyone's always looking forward to it to drop all the new songs," said Nicky Romero.
As the festival comes to a close, City of Miami Police credited new security measures with helping things go smooth.
The changes included a minimum age requirement of 18, reinforced fences and an increased police presence.
Miami Police reported 23 arrests Friday and 27 Saturday. Most of the arrests were misdemeanors.
"We've had officers on bicycles and horses, Border Patrol officers and, again, not only visibility and safety of the public but also directing traffic and alleviating some of our traffic concerns in the area," said City of Miami Police Department Public Information Officer Freddie Cruz.
Those traffic concerns were created by having a number of big events taking place over the weekend, like the Ariana Grande concert Saturday and Heat game Sunday at the American Airlines Arena, the popular Broadway musical Wicked at the Adrienne Arsht Center and the Miami Open.
As the Ultra crowd, made up mostly of international visitors, make their way back home, many are looking forward to coming back for more next year.
"I'm going to be back again," said Hill. "I love Miami!"
Miami Police expect traffic in the area to get back to normal after this ultra-busy weekend.
"Downtown should be fully operational by tomorrow. Again, all that's happening now is the breakdown period," said Cruz.
Ultra Music Festival Security Director Ray Martinez is expected to hold a news conference Monday afternoon to recap security at the event.
