The Seattle Hempfest – MJNews Network

By David Rheins

The longest-running hemp and cannabis festival in the world is turning twenty-five this year, and it’s looking for a few good sponsors to help them celebrate. The Seattle Hempfest, August 19, 20, 21st, is the granddaddy of all hemp festivals, attracts hundreds of thousands of peaceful hempsters every year to the sprawling “Protestival” along the banks of the Puget Sound. The best deal in entertainment all year, The Seattle Hempfest is a mile and a half of hemp happenings over three days: speeches, music, exhibitor booths and even an educational “Hemposium” — all FREE to attendees (a suggested donation is requested at the entrances, but sadly many folks just walk on by).

“There’s nothing in I-502 that allows a community to opt out,” Washington state Liquor Control Board spokesman Brian Smith said. If a marijuana retailer meets the state’s requirement for a license then it will be granted.

The Largest Protestival in the World Turns 25

It is a daunting logistical challenge to build, operate, tear down and clean up the event, one that falls to General Manager Sharon Whitson, who is in charge of both operations and sponsorship. “The Seattle Hempfest enters its 25th year with a volunteer event staff of 1,000, and operating 6 stages of non-stop speakers and music & 400 arts, crafts, food, and informational vendors,” Whitson told MJNewsNetwork. “Hempfest is a non-profit, so how do we run things? With generous and like-minded businesses’ support and co-marketing.”

For its special 25th anniversary, Sharon and her team have put together a comprehensive suite of marketing packages designed to help marketers reach the influential marketplace all year long. Sponsorship pricing begins at $2,500, and goes up to $50,000; packages include premium vending placements, informational displays in a range of print and online media, banners on stages, and logos on advertising & marketing materials.

“The work’s not done, man! Sure you and I can buy outrageously expensive herb at stores here in town, but the Feds think it’s a felony and a hard-core narcotic! Six-hundred and eighty-thousand Americans were arrested last year for marijuana-related offenses! Our war veterans don’t have access to it to help with their PTSD, and parents are having their kids taken away for using it as medicine all over the country!”

The Seattle Hempfest

“We are where the cannabis industry, entrepreneurs and consumers, come together to show the world who we are as a culture,” Whitson told MJNN. “Going into our 25^th year you will get the best of both worlds by attending & vending at the world’s largest & oldest cannabis event.”

For more sponsorship information, call Sharon at Hempfest Central 206-364-4367 or Email: sponsorship@hempfest.org

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