hempfest.jpg
The crowd at Hempfest. (Photo courtesy Hempfest.org)

City Attorney: Hempfest has outgrown its venue

September 9, 2010 @ 5:16 am (Updated: 1:53 pm - 3/28/11 )

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By ALEX SILVERMAN
@AlexSilverman
KIRO Radio
Listen to Alex's report

City Attorney Peter Holmes says don't get him wrong; Hempfest is great for Seattle.

"It's not a rowdy crowd; it's a crowd out to enjoy a beautiful day," he told KIRO Radio. But that crowd, he said, may have outgrown its current venue, Myrtle Edwards and Elliott Bay Parks.

"I really think we should all start now talking about whether this is serving the needs of the organizers at its current location," Holmes said, citing long lines and traffic tieups around the event on Aug. 21 and 22.

Holmes's assertion took festival director Vivian McPeak by surprise. "We're kind of taken aback," he said. "I don't think we've outgrown the park."

McPeak attributes this year's longer lines to a new queuing system organized by Seattle Police. "From our experiences on the ground at Hempfest, everything went real smooth," he said.

So where would the 100,000-plus pot smokers go? "Take out a map," Holmes said. "Look at parks of comparable size or larger, preferably."

McPeak says they've done just that in the past, but have not found a suitable alternative. Seattle Center has been discussed, but "we're not sure they want us," he said.

After financial uncertainty going into this summer's festival, McPeak says donations were double what came in a year ago. "Our attendees certainly came through for us," he said. That means Hempfest will likely be around in 2011. But where could be another story.

McPeak says he is willing to sit down with city officials to discuss an alternate venue. "We're eager to get to some talks with city leaders," he said. "We're confident we'll be able to iron out a plan."

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Comments (25)


  • Add A Comment

  • Goody wrote...
    (Hrumph!)
    September 9, 2010 6:08 am
    Ack, ack!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cameron wrote...
    Holmes should be fired.
    September 9, 2010 6:30 am
    He ignored the opportunity to ticket a hundred thousand smoking ban violators and address the city's up coming budget short fall. How many will have to lose their jobs becasue of Holmes negligence?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • harveyd wrote...
    They're Too Stoned
    September 9, 2010 7:21 am
    to cause any problems until they get behind the wheel of a car then cause a car accident. Cameron is right; the city of seattle should not let an opportunity of acquiring revenue go to waste.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Had enough yet, Libs? wrote...
    Should replace DruggieFest with a Tea party rally.
    September 9, 2010 7:43 am
    The city would make money from this. (Not pay for it like they do for DruggieFest!)

    Would be no need for police. (One reason, no drug dealing. Traffic conjestion could be a bigger problem.)

    No drug overdoses.

    No smoking in a Seattle park.

    And us Tea Partiers will pack out what we bring in.

    When was the last time anyone went missing from a Tea Party?

    Patriotic proud Pro American atmophere and speech, not swearing and angry Hate American based rhetoric.

    No body walking around naked! (Mostly just a bunch of stoned hate American 60's Liberals)

    Those Obama/Biden stickers still on their cars.

    How many of you stoners forgot where you parked your car?

    Face it. This so called "Hemp fest" is dying. If not next year, it will be the next!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shadyachmed wrote...
    Peter Holmes
    September 9, 2010 9:09 am
    is another civil 'servant' that MUST GO!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • boyerbl wrote...
    Breaking the Law and paying the bills
    September 9, 2010 9:26 am
    Not oonly are they breaking the Non Smoking laws but the still owe a past due amount from the previous years event.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • boyerbl wrote...
    Tea party event
    September 9, 2010 9:30 am
    Also when was the last time a registered sex offender was arrested at a tea party function? http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012683773_apwahempfestarrest.html
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Had enough yet, Libs? wrote...
    I cannot call up the link.
    September 9, 2010 11:21 am
    I will have to take your word for it.

    This person was a REGISTERED sex offender? What did this person do to get arrested?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • seattle420 wrote...
    KIRO IS SO JUVENILE- no calls allowed abut cannabis
    September 9, 2010 1:44 pm
    any more the call screeners are bitches
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BemaSelf wrote...
    Three Day Hempfest 2011!
    September 9, 2010 1:50 pm
    As the crowd management coordinator for Seattle Hempfest, I can tell you that Seattle Center would probably be the last place to move HF. It would be a crowd nightmare. With all the buildings that they have there, there wouldn't be enough room and it would be horrible doing bag check to ensure everyone's safety in the event. What's more, is that Hempfest has not outgrown Myrtle Edwards, it has simply outgrown it's two day ritual. HF needs three days, which they already applied for last year. The city shot that idea down, so now it's the cities turn to fix it. With three days, HF could offer for locals to come on a friday and actually get to enjoy the event, leaving saturday and sunday free for tourists and other visitors to come and enjoy the event without having to wait in 2 hour long line to get in. HF is a peaceful event, it's about educating yourself, getting away from misinfo, standing up for what is right, standing up for freedom, and taking back our civil rights. There has never been a violent incident at HF, and anyone who might have caused an incident has been pro-actively removed before any harm was caused. With hundreds of volunteer crews, HF is very well run and ready for another day. Come on Holmes! Don't play coy, give HF a three day permit! I (Heart) Three Day HF 2011!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }