ROTHBURY (WWJ) - Enhanced security at Michigan's Electric Forest may have been noticeable as 50,000 festival goers gathered in West Michigan this weekend for thunderous music, dazzling art display and more -- but there was one presence that was quite elevated than the rest.
Turns out a former professional basketball player and now sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA also has a taste for Michigan's internationally renowned celebration.
In a photo posted to Michigan State Police's Twitter page, NBA great Shaquille O'Neal could be seen towering above two MSP troopers while DJ Diesel took the stage on Friday night.
"For those of us that are a little seasoned, recognize this fine gentleman as the one and only Shaquille O'Neill!" MSP captioned. "Welcome to West Michigan!"
The Tweet has been seen over 5,000 times since it was posted.
The Shaq sighting came as a mood lightener and good old-fashioned fun after ramped up security measures greeted festival guests when Electric Forest kicked off on Thursday, June 22.
MSP said they would be out in force at the 11th edition of the popular EDM festival held in Rothbury, with K-9 units and trooper personnel dressed in flak jackets following a tragic shooting at a similar festival in Washington state last weekend.
Two people were killed and three others were injured after the shooting unfolded at campgrounds near the Gorge Amphitheatre, which was hosting the Beyond Wonderland EDM festival.
In Michigan, local departments and agencies joined MSP in making sure the four-day long event stays safe.
Electric Forest is set to run through Sunday, June 25 and features a number of big-name artists in the genre from ODESZA, Illenium, Gryffin, Above and Beyond and more.
For more information on the festival, including what is and is not allowed in the venue, visit the official Electric Forest website.