Seattle’s Hempfest is the largest annual policy reform festival that surrounds the cannabis culture and exercises our 1st amendment. This year is the 25th anniversary and will be held in Myrtle Edwards Park on August 19th from noon to 8pm and August 20th & 21st from 10am to 8pm.
I have attended several Hempfest events in the past and I know they can be a bit of a hassle, so I created a list of helpful tips to guide you through this years festival.
Don’t focus on one entrance: Or you will be waiting a long time. There are a total of three entrances & exits to the event. The north entrance, which is crossing the Amgen Pedestrian Bridge, is located off W Prospect St. It is wheelchair accessible with limited parking.
The south entrance is near the waterfront by the Olympic Sculpture Park on Alaskan Way W. The new entrance, the West Thomas St. Overpass, is located at 3rd Ave W and W Harrison Street, just west of the Seattle Center.
Go check out the Hempfest MAP and plan accordingly for parking.
Do hydrate! This is a really important one to remember. It is going to be in the 90s and it is an outdoor event. It will be hot and crowded. There will be water vendors throughout the park and a “water buffalo,” which will provide free water on site. Plus, it’s always a good idea to prevent you from suffering from “cotton mouth.”
Don’t forget your sunblock and sun glasses. Like I said before it will be hot. No matter the skin tone, be smart and wear sunblock, and sunglasses will help tone the sun rays down. They’ll also hide your glossy eyes!
Bring extra money. A $10 donation is asked upon entry but not required. There will be 400+ vendors at this year’s Hempfest and with so many options, you will not want your wallet to be empty. There will be arts, crafts, food and informational booths. Bringing cash would be your best bet, but there will be ATMs with a stiff fee throughout the park. Some vendors usually accept debit/credit, but to play it safe, just bring the green.
Wear comfortable shoes. Myrtle Edwards Park stretches 1.25 miles and the crowd at Hempfest moves fairly slow throughout. People are always stopping at one of the vendors or one of the six stages, which include performers and speakers. Make your experience worth it and tread comfortably.
Be ready for the crowds. This is the largest cannabis policy reform event and with recreational marijuana being legal in Seattle, you can expect a huge crowd. If you are claustrophobic or don’t like tight spaces, this is not the event for you.
Don’t bring pets! Myrtle Edwards Park doesn’t allow pets on the premises, unless it is a service animal. It isn’t fair to your pet anyway. Spare them the heat, crowds and hot pavement.
Do be patient. Like I explained before, there will be a ton of vendors and people. There is something to look at or listen too at every head turn, so being patient is a must. Enjoy what people want to share with you. No need to rush.
Do not smoke, but Do bring your mellow. I understand that recreational marijuana is legal in Washington state, but it is illegal to smoke in Myrtle Edwards Park. In past Hempfest events, everyone would just smoke on the boulder rocks that look out over Elliot Bay. This is an all ages event and some people don’t smoke at all and just support the cause. Regardless, be respectful.
Don’t antagonize the police. The police are there to ensure everyone’s safety at such a mass gathering where voices are heard. If they ask you to follow one of the rules, than listen. Just because it is a 1st amendment festival doesn’t mean you are free to break the rules. There will also be “Hempfest Safety Volunteers” (it will say this on their shirts) who are there to help with anything from a medical emergency to a lost child.
Do pick up your garbage. Remember to Respect My Region and pick up after yourselves. Pack it in, then you pack it out.
Now that you have some helpful tips to guide you through this years Hempfest, just remember to have fun and be safe.
