The Denver County Fair, founded in 2011, prides itself on being quirky and different. “Expect us to do things differently than the fairs that were established last century, or the century before,” its website proclaims.
Fine. We like quirky, too. But a “Pot Pavilion,” with prizes in nine categories? Really?
Since the passage of Amendment 64, we’ve pushed back against officials at all levels who’ve tried to undermine its implementation. But meanwhile we’ve never lost sight of the fact that legalization is an experiment that needs to be carefully monitored so it doesn’t boost drug use.
And that means no flaunting of pot in front of or near kids.
Yes, the Pot Pavilion will be off limits to anyone under 21 — and it won’t even have any actual marijuana on the premises. Judging will be conducted off site.
Still, county fairs tend to be family affairs. As if to prove the point, the Denver fair is expanding its “super-popular Kids Pavilion” this year to handle the crowds.
“Who will win the nation’s first Blue Ribbon for ‘Best Marijuana Plant’ at a county fair?,” the fair’s website wonders. We could have survived without the answer.
Related
Denver County Fair’s changing tastes (interview).
Marijuana to join beer, pies this summer at Denver’s unconventional county fair.
