All articles tagged with #crowds
Thousands gathered at Stonehenge to celebrate the winter solstice, marking the shortest day of the year and the start of astronomical winter, with many viewing it as a spiritual renewal as the sun begins to climb again.
The final stage of the Tour de France in Paris is expected to be chaotic due to unprecedented crowds, with over half a million spectators lining the streets, creating a carnival-like atmosphere that the peloton is both excited and apprehensive about.
Massive crowds in Iran chanted "death to America" as the days-long funeral for the late President Ebrahim Raisi concluded, with CNN's Fred Pleitgen reporting from the scene.
Despite expectations of a massive influx of visitors for the eclipse, Fredericksburg, Texas, remained relatively empty over the weekend, with many attributing the sparse crowds to weather and cloudiness expectations. Visitors expressed surprise at the lack of congestion, with some noting that they had anticipated a significant increase in population for the event. Despite preparations and excitement, the town square and streets were notably quiet, leaving many visitors taken aback by the unexpected calm.
New Yorkers flocked to B&H, dubbing it the "hottest club in town," to purchase eclipse glasses ahead of the Great North American Solar Eclipse, causing chaos and long lines. With the eclipse visible in New York between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m., the rush for glasses intensified as other retailers ran out of stock, leading to fights and chaos at Penn Station. Despite the frenzy, people were willing to endure long waits for the chance to witness the rare event, which is the last total eclipse to hit the US for the next 20 years.
Spring breakers are heading to Fort Lauderdale after Miami Beach imposed restrictions to control large crowds. The influx of visitors has led to concerns about potential COVID-19 spread and increased law enforcement presence in Fort Lauderdale.
Miami Beach has declared a three-night curfew beginning on Friday, running from midnight through 6 a.m. each night until Monday, in an effort to control the large crowds expected during the peak weekend of spring break. The curfew will apply only to South Beach and also includes a prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages for "off-premises consumption" after 6 p.m. City officials have been clear about their intent to protect the public from the dangerous mayhem that has accompanied spring break crowds in recent years, and this marks the fourth consecutive year in which Miami Beach has set an emergency spring break curfew.
Fort Lauderdale welcomed massive spring break crowds with beach boxing matches and limited crime during the first week, while Miami Beach's strict guidelines appeared effective in maintaining order. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis deployed over 140 state troopers to South Florida as a preemptive strike against potential spring break crime, with preparations underway for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day weekend.
Crowds gathered at India's new Ram temple in Ayodhya a day after its opening, with people flocking to the site to witness the historic event. The temple's construction has been a source of controversy and tension for decades, and its opening marks a significant moment for Hindu nationalists in India.
Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations were met with mixed reactions as thousands flocked to the city for the iconic fireworks display, with some describing the crowded scenes as "apocalyptic." While the 9pm fireworks wowed attendees, others expressed frustration over the environmental impact and the distress caused to pets and wildlife. Critics suggested alternatives like laser shows, and some locals preferred to stay home, calling the event overrated. Despite the controversy, the city was prepared for a massive turnout with extensive planning for the festivities.
Travelers at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport experienced a pleasant surprise on Thanksgiving Eve as there were no crowds and short lines. The airport authorities' preparations for the holiday travel rush seem to be working well, with smooth operations and relatively fast security checkpoints. AAA estimates a 3% increase in air travel compared to last year, and while the Sunday after Thanksgiving is expected to be the busiest day, travel has been more spread out due to increased flexibility resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. TSA advises travelers on what Thanksgiving foods can be carried through security checkpoints and what should be packed in checked luggage.
Central Utah is preparing for a surge in traffic and crowds as an annular solar eclipse is expected to draw over a quarter million visitors to the area. Officials are warning of potential traffic problems and limited services, which has raised concerns among some business owners who fear it may discourage visitors. Despite the warnings, local businesses are excited about the influx of people and are preparing for an estimated 30,000 visitors in Sevier County. Additionally, ongoing road repairs on southbound I-15 in Mona may further exacerbate traffic issues.
Crowds rushed the gates at Electric Zoo on Day 3 after it was announced on Twitter that entry was closed, despite valid ticketholders still being outside. The festival had already canceled its first day due to various challenges, including supply chain issues. Ticketholders who couldn't enter on Sunday will receive a refund, but some disregarded this and ran into the event space.
Joshua Tree National Park experienced overwhelming traffic and crowds as thousands of people flocked to witness the Perseid Meteor Shower. The park issued a statement urging visitors to enjoy the meteor shower from home due to full campgrounds and parking lots. Officials shared photos and videos of the traffic backup, and advised planning ahead and booking campground spots well in advance for future meteor showers.
Wait times at Central Florida's theme parks, including Disney, Universal, and Seaworld, were slightly lower on July 4th compared to previous years. Experts attribute this to the hot weather and the complicated nature of theme park vacations. The following day, crowds returned to normal levels.