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Tequila Sunrise was as popular as ever this year, but a relatively new hotspot near the Northern Arizona University campus thinned out the drunken crowds near the downtown Flagstaff bars.

“The crowd seemed more tame, and maybe not as congested, because some of them stayed on (the) Southside,” said Flagstaff Police Department Deputy Chief Dan Musselman.

There were also significantly fewer arrests: only five compared with last year’s 41 during FPD’s Tequila Sunrise detail. And all five were south of the railroad tracks this year.

There was a heavy police presence both north and south of the railroad tracks as Tequila Sunrise got off to a slow start Saturday morning. Bass-heavy music blared but the lines were modest to non-existent for more than an hour at about a dozen bars that opened their doors at 6 a.m. for students and visitors who wanted to get a buzz before the NAU homecoming parade and game.

“I’m 21 this year, so it’s a good way to have some fun but also get ready for the football game,” said NAU junior Sergio Pineda, who woke up at 3 a.m. “I can’t really remember much because I’m so tired. Every time that you fall asleep, you just go to a new place and pick up a new drink. It’s a great time.”