Seattle Hempfest
Seattle Hempfest is an annual event in the city of Seattle, Washington (and the world's largest annual gathering) advocating the legalization of cannabis.Vivian McPeak serves as the organization's executive director. Founded in 1991 as the Washington Hemp Expo, a self-described "humble gathering of stoners" attended by only 500 people, and renamed the following year as Hempfest, it has grown into a three-day annual political rally, concert, and arts and crafts fair with attendance typically over 100,000. Speakers have included Seattle city council member Nick Licata, actor/activist Woody Harrelson (2004), travel writer and TV host Rick Steves (2007), (2010), 2012 Green Party speaker Jill Stein, Dallas Cowboys center Mark Stepnoski (2003), and former chief of the Seattle Police Department Norm Stamper (2006). Hempfest has also in recent years attracted such well-known performers as Fishbone (2002), The Kottonmouth Kings (2004),Rehab (2006), and Pato Banton (2007) to its five stages spread throughout Myrtle Edwards Park and Elliott Bay Park, on Seattle's waterfront.
| Seattle Hempfest | |
|---|---|
 Seattle city council member Nick Licata speaking at the 2009 Seattle Hempfest | |
| Genre | Political |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Myrtle Edwards Park, Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Years active | 31 |
| Inaugurated | August 1, 1991 |
| Previous event | 10 October 2020 – 11 October 2020 |
| Attendance | 100,000 |
| Budget | $1,000,000 |
| Organised by | Seattle Events, a Non-Profit Corporation |
| Member | Hempfest Central Seattle Peace Heathens Community Action Group |
| Website | www |