6. It’s massive: If size matters to you, Hempfest absolutely crushes Denver in this regard. It takes almost a half-hour to walk from one entrance to the other, and that’s without the few hundreds of thousands of people they estimate attend over the weekend blocking your way. Vendor booths are everywhere, stages are strategically placed so you’re never too far from some chill tunes, and all of it overlooks the gorgeous Puget Sound.
7. Very scenic, but light on a “scene”: We get it, Hempfest. You’re gigantic. But with people constantly flowing through the place (and creating traffic jams of stoners that drove me nuts), there’s nothing very communal about the experience. Everyone sets their mode to autopilot. Denver’s strategy — vending on the outside, people on the inside — creates a sea of blankets and Frisbee-tossing dudes that’s always refreshing to see. While people do accumulate at the stages at Hempfest, the random booking of the music means that you’ll go from hardcore metal to a couple of dudes in cowboy hats. Not a lot of crossover in those fan bases.
8. The rain: Zing, Seattle! Day One had soaked my unfortunate choice of shoes within the first hour. It was what I assume is a typical summer day in Washington, meaning no torrential downpour, but enough of the wet stuff to upset stage managers who had thousands of dollars of electronics to protect. Conversely, when the sun appeared on Saturday the locals clung to whatever shade they could find. Even if we don’t actually get 300 sunny days per year (sorry to Eeyore it up, Colorado) we still enjoy pretty great weather every 4/20.
9. The staff/family: It seemed like everyone working at the event knew each other somehow and had a story or two they’d divulge over a joint. Meeting Cannabist contributor — and overall hilarious dude — Ben Livingston for the first time, I had no idea how long he’d been working on the event. One volunteer called him “The Kid,” noting they’d basically watched him grow up at Hempfest. From an outsider’s perspective, Hempfest has its own farm league of activism and is good about nurturing its prospects. While Denver’s Miguel Lopez is incredibly active when it comes to social politics, I’m not sure he’s the best nuturer of talent. And that’s being generous.
10. The herb: Sorry, Washington. We still have you beat.
Been to both? Let me know what I missed in the comments below.
Opening Day in Washington:
A special report from The Cannabist
Photos: Scenes from Washington on first day of recreational pot sales
List of shops: These 24 Washington marijuana shops were licensed to open July 8
“It’s amazing:” Seattle-based I-502 architect Alison Holcomb talks on Opening Day
More recreational weed: Stay caught up on news coming out of Washington state
