Hempfest Still Without Permit
photo by: Owl Jester
After months of negotiations with the city, Hempfest organizers still don’t have their permit for the annual event, planned for Aug. 18-19 at Myrtle Edwards Park. The construction of SAM’s nearby sculpture park and last year’s hijinks involving a Toolcat and some beach remodeling slowed the process initially, but the city has since told the art museum it must keep the park open for access by Hempfest revelers.
So why still no permit?
“It’s political,” says John Davis, the event's construction director. “We’ve been going through and figuring out how we’re going to do land and security plans and evacuation plans. We keep submitting. They keep asking questions.”
Davis says organizers anticipate receiving the permit soon. But he admits frustration levels are rising. “We’d like to work with the city and that’s what we’re trying to do. It would be nice if they’d ask all their questions at once so we can answer them at once,” he says. “We’d like to be able to dispel the rumors that [the event] isn’t happening. We have no reason to believe the city won’t give us a permit.”
Still, the clock is ticking on the ability for organizers to plan for and publicize the event. “It’s tough,” Davis says. “There’s no other place to hold it. If the permit isn’t issued, we’ll be in a fight for the survival of the event in which we’ll consider all options.”
Hempfest sued the city last year when a permit wasn’t forthcoming by late July.
Virginia Swanson at the city’s special events committee says they hope to grant the permit by early next week "if not sooner." Swanson says the last detail they're working on is how many vehicles will be allowed in the park. "Load-in and load-out issues," she says.
5 comment(s)
Katie Morse says:
I have no worries that we will have our permit before the event. What we need most of all is VOLUNTEERS. Hundreds of them! We have over 3,000 shifts to fill over six days of set-up, break-down and the 2 days of Hempfest. Recycling, Load-in and Traffic crews are especially important. Please volunteer, and ask all your friends as well! www.hempfest.org/staff
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 18 2007 @ 2:08PM
Nicole - QuarterMonstriss says:
Katie is right!
Volunteer, Volunteer, Volunteer!
That\'s what we need and are asking for!
3000 shifts to cover people!
If you don\'t have the time to volunteer - donate: it takes over $200K to bring Hempfest to Seattle every year.
Hempfest volunteers have awesome fun!
It\'s not just about medical marijuana - it\'s about human rights and equality for all!
Join us!
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 18 2007 @ 3:17PM
Owl says:
No photo credit, that sure look like my picture. Not good folks, give photo credit or dont use my picture.
owljester.com
Posted On: Thursday, Jul. 19 2007 @ 2:14PM
Owl says:
No photo credit, that sure look like my picture. Not good folks, give photo credit or dont use my picture.
owljester.com
Posted On: Thursday, Jul. 19 2007 @ 2:14PM
Aimee says:
Happy to give credit where credit\'s due Owl, but found no name on the photo on the Hempfest site (which has traditionally encouraged us to borrow their art.) Will credit as Owl Jester unless I hear different from you. Thanks for the terrific pic.
Posted On: Thursday, Jul. 19 2007 @ 2:39PM