Seattle Hempfest and City of Seattle Reach Agreement: Hempfest Gets Three Days!

A planned construction project had threatened to derail this year's "protestival"

Seattle Hempfest 2010, photo by Dennis Osbourn

(SEATTLE, Wash.) - Seattle Hempfest is pleased to announce that Hempfest will take place at Myrtle Edwards Park, Aug. 19, 20, 21, 2011. After six months of ongoing negotiations, and a federal lawsuit filed by Hempfest, the City of Seattle has agreed to grant Hempfest a Special Event Permit for 2011.

Hempfest organizers are encouraging the public to ignore all rumors of cancellation.

Scheduled construction of the Thomas Street Overpass project into Myrtle Edwards Park threatened the historic annual free-speech rally this year, prompting Hempfest to file a lawsuit in United States District Court.

In response, the City solicited alternative bids for the project to allow Hempfest to proceed. Hempfest then postponed its request for immediate relief from the court. All were pleased that the bids were later received in such a way to allow the festival to proceed at Myrtle Edwards Park in August 2011.

"We are encouraged that the City recognizes that Hempfest is an important event that is good for Seattle," said Vivian McPeak, Hempfest's executive director."

"We're overjoyed that we can go back to preparing a world-class 20th anniversary Hempfest. The Pacific Northwest is at an important turning point, and this will be the most important Hempfest to date."

Hempfest organizers are asking for help getting the word out that the world-renowned free-speech event is happening. They are asking supporters to go to Hempfest.org to donate, sponsor, vend or volunteer. Hempfest is all-volunteer and needs to fill 1,000 staff shirts to staff the almost 100 crews required to operate the world-famous rally.

"We want to invite solid, dependable people to join us in making Hempfest be a success this year,” said McPeak.

"Hempfest is a true grassroots community event and people power is its secret. Without this community Hempfest would never have made it to this 20-year milestone," he added.

Information about vending, volunteering, performing, memberships and sponsorships, as well as attendee info, can be found at hempfest.org, the Seattle Hempfest Web site. Messages can be left on the Hempfest Info-Line at 206-781-5734.

Bands and performers who wish to be considered to perform at Seattle Hempfest 2011 are encouraged to go to the performer's page of hempfest.org

Source: Hempfest.org

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