3-day music fest causing big headaches for neighbors

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Thousands of music fans from across the world are in south Fulton County for TomorrowWorld, a major electronic music festival causing big headaches for some area residents.

About 150,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event, which kicked off Friday night at a 500-acre horse farm in Chattahoochee Hills.

Many call the event a music-lover's dream, but it's been more of a nightmare for people who live in the area, neighbors told Channel 2's Amanda Cook Saturday morning. They said the festival is affecting their sleep and their sanity.

"It's extremely loud, especially at night right into the early hours of the morning. We can hear it in our living room, basement and bedrooms, with all the doors closed," said neighbor Joe Forrester.

"The bass was so heavy, you can feel it in your body," neighbor Chip Baxter said of Friday night's performances.

The residents live about a mile and a half across the river in Douglas County, not far from south Fulton.

The Douglas County residents feel they should have had a say when Fulton County leaders approved the 10-year lease for the festival. A Douglas County commissioner didn't mince words about the situation either.

"The problem is the people on this side of the river don't vote for the people on that side of the river," said Douglas County Commissioner Mike Mulcare.

One concertgoer from Knoxville, Tenn., said she feels bad about the inconvenience.

"I do feel bad, but I don't know. I wish they could experience this and enjoy it as much as we are," said Casey May.

Some Douglas residents said TomorrowWorld organizers have worked hard to at least have conversations with them about the noise levels. But they hope some big changes are put in place for next year's event.

"Start it at 1 in the afternoon. End it at 10 o'clock at night to respect the citizens that live around here," Baxter said.

Channel 2 Action News crews are also monitoring safety conditions this weekend.

Earlier this month at a similar festival in New York, two attendees died and several were hospitalized after overdosing on a pure form of the drug ecstasy, called Molly.

Organizers at TomorrowWorld said they've adopted a zero tolerance policy for drugs and they're taking precautions.

"We do have surveillance cameras. We're doing bag checks. We have a very extensive medical team to help people," said Ronnie Lyons, TomorrowWorld spokeswoman.

Get updates on this developing story on WSBTV.com

WSBTV