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Ultra Music Festival is finally legal, in the sense that adult party people will no longer need to rage alongside wide-eyed 12-year-olds and be astonished when they say it’s their “third year.”
For the 2015 edition of the EDM fest, each and every raver will need to be at least the age of majority to get through the gates at downtown Miami’s Bayfront Park.
Earlier today, Ultra organizers confirmed this new 18-and-over policy after festival fliers with an “18+” disclaimer popped up at this past weekend’s Electric Zoo in New York.
Of course, many grownup EDM fans are pleased. But lots of Ultra underage ravers are howling, “I’m about to cry.”
See Also: Ultra Confirms 18-and-Over Policy: “The First Step to Having Fun Is Feeling Safe”
The age restriction could be Ultra’s way of dedicating itself to safety in the wake of a recent security guard trampling and attendee overdoses. Or maybe it’s just about freakin’ time.
The concept is anything but foreign. Ultra is the exception, not the rule, when it comes to allowing underage festivalgoers. And after all the alarming press that resulted from last year’s festivities, even many fans called for a policy change.
See also: In Defense of Ultra Music Festival
Over the weekend, many people assumed the rumored 18-and-over policy was real. But there were certain ravers who continued to cling to hope…
… But as we all now know, hope had already sold them out.
Despite the popular assumption that an age restriction will help protect fans and prevent trouble, there are plenty of fans who argue that it’s a safety measure in name only and won’t really make Ultra any less dangerous.
Unsurprisingly, the most devastated fans are those under 18 who promised themselves that 2015 would be the year of their first Ultra.
See also: EDM’s Five Greatest Delusions
Some believe that enforcement of Ultra’s new 18-and-over policy may prove challenging. Especially since there are dudes already planning to “get into the fake ID game.”
Honestly speaking, we here at Crossfade are kinda happy about it. Because the 12-year-old thing is not an exaggeration.
And, y’know, a trip to Ultra is a pretty cool way to celebrate a milestone birthday.
Follow Kat Bein on Twitter @KatSaysKill.
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