TomorrowWorld festival attracts tourists, money

The Tomorrowworld music festival is a benefit to the South Fulton County economy, bringing in more than $85 million in 2013. This year promises to be even bigger. The electronic music festival began Friday and some people aren’t as happy as the more than 120,000 in attendance. "It does bring in a tremendous about of money into Georgia as well as surrounding community, so you have to weigh the balance," Holly springs resident Jeff Seymour said. The balance is still a bit off, according to some residents in Douglas County, about five miles away from the festival site. The site is located on 500 acres of farmland in Chattahoochie Hills. "Unfortunately, we're in Douglas County. That's happening in Fulton County, so I don't think we have much say-so over here," Holly Springs resident Tom Staebell said.

"It is a helpless feeling because if I was to play my music loud here, the police would be out here, my neighbors would be complaining and I would have to turn it down," Douglas County resident Elijah Lucas said. Others are concerned with the traffic it causes. "It probably caused an extra 15 minutes to get to work,” Staebell said. Event officials say they have a mobility plan and bigger signs. They say they will provide information about possible bottlenecks. They also say they're taking steps to monitor the sound and lessen its impact. Event officials say the music is consistently well below the sound levels prescribed by the law. Fulton County police are urging those who don't plan to go the Tomorrowworld to stay away from the Chatahoochee Hills or be prepared to sit in traffic. "Traffic is expected to be very bad. We are asking that if you don't have to be in that area avoid it at all costs," said Fulton County Police Spokeswoman Corporal Kay Lester. Lester said festival organizers have hired off-duty officers for traffic and crowd control but added that last year's crowd was very well behaved. Fairburn's mayor agrees. "It was very peaceful. Peaceful beyond my wildest imagination to be honest with you," Avery said. The camping area of TomorrowWorld opens Thursday. Music starts on Friday and all concertgoers are required to leave by midday Monday.