DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Are you ready to rock ‘n’ roll?
Welcome to Rockville kicked off its four-day event at Daytona International Speedway Thursday, with big names like Kiss, Five Finger Death Punch and Papa Roach opening the festival.
[TRENDING: Orlando man wins $5 million in Gold Rush lottery scratch-off | Here’s when exceptionally vibrant sunrises, sunsets could come to Central Florida | Become a News 6 Insider (it’s free!)]
The outdoor event is bringing dozens of bands to Daytona Beach through Sunday in its second year. Last year’s event was held in November so, this year, fans will be bracing the heat.
“Fans are allowed to bring in a bottle to have free water refills,” said Chamie McCurry, marketing representative for the festival’s organizer Danny Wimmer Presents.
McCurry said they’ve been in Daytona Beach preparing for weeks by building stages, sets, vendor stands, and making sure staff and security are ready to go.
“We make sure we are prepared for all scenarios. We run drills leading up to the event, we have a safety meeting every morning, we have an onsite hospital here at D.I.S. which is great,” she said.
Some 140,000 people are estimated to come in over the four days, with about 10,000 camping out at the speedway and others booking out area hotels. It’s sure to give a boost to the local economy.
“I think our staff alone has booked up seven or eight hotels and we hire thousands locally,” McCutry said.
Rockville already has longer line-up list compared to its first year in Daytona Beach last year. For years, it was held in Jacksonville but McCurry said the speedway and its staff are exactly what they were looking for when finding a new home for the festival.
“The operations, the security, the safety, all of the expertise they bring to the table is really next level,” she said.
In addition to the music, there will be food, giveaways and unique experiences for festivalgoers. Here are some of the activities being offered for the event:
- An “I love the ‘80s camping pre-party” with a best dressed contest
- A Tiki bar, a craft beer bar and a wine garden
- A Ferris wheel, a water slide and swings attraction
[STORY CONTINUES BELOW]
There will be plenty of food available throughout the venue, with options ranging from festival favorites to “a taste of Florida’s best.”
Some of the food vendors include Big Show BBQ, Funnel Cake Fantasy, Island Girl Eats, Ponti Rossi Pizza, Vegan Demon and more.
To look at the lineup, purchase tickets or see menu items available, click here.