Park Rules
- No Alcohol
- No Narcotics
- No Weapons – Guns or fixed blade knives are prohibited. Folding pocket knives (3-1/2″ or smaller) OK
- No Camping
- No Unauthorized Vending
- No Propane Torches
- No Pets (Dogs, Cats, Birds, etc.) Please do not leave your pets in your car! Cars left in direct sunlight turn into lethal ovens, reaching fatal temperatures of 130 degrees or more within just a few minutes. Even dogs left locked in cars in the shade with the windows cracked on hot days are at risk of brain damage or death. Dogs must cool themselves through panting and their systems can’t handle high temperatures. Also, be aware that vinyl seats in vehicles get hot under animals’ feet and prevents them from perspiring through their paws. Pet owners can be held criminally liable for committing cruelty to animals if a pet dies, or is found suffering from heat prostration. If you see an animal that may be in need of assistance, or if you have questions, contact the Seattle Animal Shelter at (206) 386-7387 (PETS).
- Note: It is an enhanced felony to sell cannabis, cannabis food, or other drugs in a city park
Seattle Hempfest Policies
Weapons Policy
- Hempfest is a peaceful event. No Weapons are allowed at Hempfest.
- No Guns, No Fixed Blade Knives.
- Pocket knives (3-1/2 ” or smaller) are OK.
- Exceptions limited to Seattle Police and Port Police
Controlled Substances Policy
- Hempfest supports all lawful cannabis use.
- Sales of any illegal substances are unlawful
- Sales of any cannabis laced food (like brownies) are unlawful.
- Public consumption of marijuana is not permitted under I-502 and is a class C felony.
- The Seattle Police and Port Police will be on-site.
Nudity Policy
- Genital nudity is prohibited at Hempfest.
Age Restrictions
- Seattle Hempfest is a constitutionally protected free-speech event, therefore Hempfest cannot restrict access based upon age or admission fee. There are no age restrictions for attending Seattle Hempfest. We suggest that minors wishing to attend Hempfest discuss the matter with the appropriate parent or guardian. The passage of Initiative I-502 did not change the admission policy of Hempfest.
Service animals
- Hempfest does not allow pets. Service animals will be permitted under laws allowing service animals. This includes the Washington Law Against Discrimination and the Americans With Disabilities Act.
- Those who have disabilities should be able to describe the service that the animal performs and the training that the animal has received. (No one will be asked about the nature of their disability or medical condition.)
- Service animals that are disruptive, that engage others in unsolicited contact, or that exhibit threatening behaviors may be excluded.
- Owners or someone accompanying the service animal are responsible to bag and remove solid waste.
- The person accompanying the service animal is responsible to keep the animal on leash or under other appropriate restraint.
Street Vending Info
- Street vending is not authorized by the Seattle Hempfest event. City enforcement officers will be patrolling the sidewalks around the Seattle Hempfest event and will be issuing citations for illegal street vending. Vending in public right of way requires a Street Use Permit from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). There are several different types of Street Use vending permits: Sidewalk or Plaza Vending, Curb Space Vending (Designated Food-Vehicle Zone or Temporary Curb Space Activity), Stadium and Event Center Vending, Mobile Food Vending, and First Amendment Vending. Please review the following information:http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/stuse_vend.htm
GETTING TO SEATTLE HEMPFEST™ PROTESTIVAL
INFORMATION FOR ATTENDEES
How do you get to HEMPFEST™ Protestival?
To access the North Entrance, cross the Amgen Pedestrian Bridge off of W Prospect Street. It has an elevator and is wheelchair accessible, placing the avid attendee just north of Seattle HEMPFEST™ protestival north entrance. There is very little parking at W Prospect Street. So your best bet is to walk, bike, or take a metro bus to that location. For example, take metro bus 18 to north entrance, and 15 to south entrance. There are many other Metro buses routes that can drop you at either entrance too. Bicycles should enter through the North entrance to utilize the bike racks.
The North entrance takes you to Seeley, Starborne, Bassdrop Music Village, & McWilliams Stages. It’s a jam packed area that not only boasts 4 stages but a wide variety of vendors including the Ganja Garden’s Food Court. This is our least crowded entrance and an excellent way to start your Seattle HEMPFEST™ protestival adventure.
Our new NO WAIT entrance, The West Thomas Street Pedestrian and Bicycle Overpass, is accessible at 3rd Ave W & W Harris Streets just north of Seattle Center. This new entrance has great parking potential being just 4 blocks north of Key Arena. It’ll take you across the busy Elliot & Western Avenues, and drop you right in Munchie Market! Take The West Thomas Street Pedestrian and Bicycle Overpass!
To access the South Entrance, along with tens of thousands of other people, enter the Olympic Sculpture Park on Alaskan Way W. Downtown Seattle has several parking garages and lots. Attaching bikes to the fence at Olympic Sculpture Park is not allowed. The line actually starts at on Elliott at Broad on the east side. It then goes all the way down to Bay Street where we have monitored street crossing to the west side of Elliott where you’ll walk all the way back down to Broad street and down to Alaskan Way W. This is the longest wait and walk to get into Seattle HEMPFEST™ protestival.
Of course if you’re a Seattle HEMPFEST™ Member or require ADA entry, you cut the line! Simply walk to the front of the Olympic Sculpture Park and look for the ADA/Member’s Entrance signs. You’ll go get to go through the express lane and get almost immediate entry into Seattle HEMPFEST™ protestival.
The HEMPFEST™ protestival PHYSICAL address at the park is: 3130 Alaskan Way W, Seattle, WA 98121 (Don’t try to mail something there, it is a park! Also, you can NOT drive into the park from that entrance, even if you are a vendor or a delivery).
By Bike or Foot
Perhaps the best way to get to Hempfest is by bike. Myrtle Edwards Park is part of the Elliott Bay Trail which connects to the massive Burke Gilman Trail. One may easily navigate the regional trail system from Sammamish, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Kirkland, etc.
Comprehensive bicycling maps from King County
Alternate SeaTac to Downtown map from Cascade Bicycle Club
Bike rental info from Cascade Bicycle Club
When approaching on the Burke-Gilman, one has two main routes. The first option is to cross the historic Fremont Bridge, the most frequently opened drawbridge in the United States. Take a left onto Westlake and ride along the west side of Lake Union all the way downtown.
The second option is to ride the Burke-Gilman to the Ballard Locks, which are open from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily. After crossing the locks, coast through Magnolia, and into the magnificent train yards before hitting the glistening waterfront. If the locks are closed, take the 15th Ave bridge, right on Dravus, left on 20th and down by the train yards.
To the south, the Elliott Bay Trail runs past downtown to SoDo and the stadiums, where one can (sort of) connect with the I-90 trail or continue south along Alaskan/Marginal Way to hook up with the West Seattle Bridge.
Mon-Thurs (August 12-15 ), and Mon-Wed (August 19-21) from 7:30-8:30 AM is vehicle free time on East path of Myrtle Edwards and Centennial parks. Hempfest vehicle traffic is suspended for that hour during weekday set-up and tear-down to respect morning bike commuters who use the parks.
For public safety, BICYCLE RIDERS MUST DISMOUNT during Seattle Hempfest. ALL DAYS, ALL HOURS.
Bicycles should enter through the North entrance in Centennial Park to utilize the bike racks, or use the bike racks at Bay and Elliot. Attaching bikes to the fence at Olympic Sculpture Park is not allowed.
By Car
Interstate 5 runs through the heart of Seattle. From either direction, take the Mercer Street exit (Exit 167) towards the Seattle Center, home of the Space Needle. From Mercer one has two options at the first traffic light (Fairview). Turn left onto Fairview, then right onto Denny. Or, one may turn right on Fairview, then left on Valley, which becomes Broad. Both of these options meet up at Denny and Broad. (See a map from Google, Microsoft, or Yahoo.) Continue on either street in a downhill direction until you get to the waterfront. The south entrance to Seattle Hempfest will be on the right.
There are pay parking garages and lots in downtown Seattle (see below) and in nearby Queen Anne. Street parking is free after 8 p.m. and and is free all day Sunday. Myrtle Edwards Park has no parking.
- Graham and Dunn Building
2801 Alaskan Way
Pier 70 at Broad Street and Alaskan Way.
Hours: 6:30 a.m.–11 p.m. - Olympus Parking Garage
2801 Western Avenue
Entrance is on Clay Street (one-way, west), between Western Avenue
and Elliott Avenue.
Hours: 6 a.m.–11 p.m. - Public Parking, Seattle Trade and Technology Center2600 Elliott Avenue
Located on the corner of Vine Street and Elliott Avenue.
Hours: 6:30 a.m.–11 p.m. - Bell Street Pier
2401 Elliott Avenue
Across from the Edgewater. Entrance is on Wall Street and Alaskan
Way.
Hours: 6:30 a.m.–midnight - Ampco
Surface lot on Wall Street and Elliott Avenue with a pay box. No day
parking. Evening and weekends only. - Ampco
Surface lot on Vine Street between Elliott Avenue and Western Avenue
with a pay box. Entrance is on Vine Street (one-way, east). - Diamond Parking
2620 First Avenue
Surface lot with a pay box. No day parking. Evenings and weekends
only. - Diamond Parking
Surface lot on the corner of Western Avenue and Battery Street with
a pay box.
By Plane
Most of you plane people will touch down at SeaTac International Airport, which provides non-stop service to numerous cities ranging from Missoula, Montana to San Francisco to Amsterdam.
The Port of Seattle has useful info on getting downtown from SeaTac. One may may hop the easy Link light rail direct from the airport to downtown or take Metro to downtown. Shuttle Express offers shared-ride van service to downtown from the third floor of the airport garage. Some hotels offer shuttle service also. Taxi service is provided by STITA Taxi. To get SeaTac pickup service from another taxi service, one must specifically call them. Several rental car companies operate at SeaTac.
Kenmore Air provides seaplane service from Lake Union to various parts of Washington and British Columbia, and landplane service from Boeing Field.
By Bus
Metro Transit provides local (countywide) bus service. A number of bus routes stop in downtown Seattle. Once downtown, just walk downhill to the waterfront, turn right and follow everyone else to Hempfest. Metro operates numerous park and ride lots throughout the region.
To beat the crowds, use the north entrance by crossing the new Amgen Pedestrian Bridge off of W Prospect Street. Modeled after the double-helix geometry of DNA and crossing an expanse of train tracks, the pedestrian bridge is hard to miss. It has an elevator and is wheelchair accessible, placing the avid attendee just north of Hempfest’s north entrance. The following Metro routes stop nearby: 15, 18, 19, 24, 33, 81.
Sound Transit provides regional bus service. They provide service south as far as Dupont, north as far as Everett, and east as far as Issaquah.
Greyhound provides nationwide bus service. Rates are decent, and bus rides are interesting. Reserve 14 days in advance and rates are $20-109 dollars one-way anywhere in the U.S.
By Boat
Seattle Hempfest happens north of Pier 70 on the waterfront near several public and private ferry services. The Washington State Ferries run several routes around Puget Sound. Pier 52 hosts the Bremerton and Bainbridge Island routes, and Pier 50 hosts the Vashon Island passenger only ferry.
King County Transporation provides passenger only ferry service between Pier 55 and West Seattle via the Elliott Bay Water Taxi at Seacrest Dock.
Victoria Clipper operates a passenger only ferry between Victoria, BC and Seattle. Operating from Pier 69, it’s a bit pricey but those jetfoils make it the fastest ferry service around.
For ferry service between British Columbia and Washington, one may also use the private M.V. Coho passenger and vehicle ferry service. This lands in Port Angeles on the gorgeous Olympic Peninsula. To get to Seattle from here, one will need to take a ferry from Bainbridge or Bremerton, or head south to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and back up I-5. The Alaska State Ferrieshave (costly) service to Bellingham.
One may also take a cruise ship to Hempfest, should one be so inclined. Five cruise ship companies operate from Pier 66 and Terminal 30.
For those sailing from afar, the Port of Seattle operates three marinas with guest moorage. Bell Harbor Marina on Pier 66 has 80 guest slips. Shilshole Bay Marina is the city’s largest marina with 100 guest slips. Fisherman’s Terminal also has some guest slips, but requires a pass through the locks. From either Shilshole or Fisherman’s Terminal, Hempfest is a quick bike ride away.
For the local boaters, nothing beats Hempfest by boat. Just set your course for the downtown waterfront and you can’t miss it. Boaters from Lake Washington and Lake Union must pass through the Ballard Locks, which are open from 7 a.m – 9 p.m. Don’t be a stoner and miss the closing of the locks.
By Train
Amtrak provides nationwide train service. Seattle is on three of their routes: Coast Starlight (Seattle to Los Angeles), Empire Builder (Seattle to Chicago), and Amtrak Cascades (Vancouver to Eugene). Trains stop a bit south of downtown at King Street Station.
Sound Transit provides regional commuter rail service Monday through Friday, which might nice if you’re staying the weekend. There are two routes, one south of Seattle and one north. The train goes into Seattle early, and leave Seattle after work hours. Southerly, one can ride the train from Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent, and Tukwila. To the north is a gorgeous waterfront ride to Everett and Edmonds.
- Please respect neighboring residents and businesses by parking only in authorized areas.
- Please do not leave your vehicles unattended in the Whole Foods Parking lot, or other restricted parking lots in the area.
- There is no attendee parking available at Seattle Hempfest.
- Please carpool, take the bus, bicycle, or investigate paid parking areas in advance. http://www.parkingspotter.com/search?address=3rd+ave+w+and+w+harrison+st%2C+seattle%2C+wa
- There is no camping in vehicles, parking lots, sidewalks or streets allowed in Seattle City Limits.
Seattle Hempfest has a block of rooms at the Homewood Suites, the hotel nearest the park. Password is Hempfest VIP and you can reserve the rooms HERE
At campground
Camping is disallowed in Myrtle Edwards Park. There is no camping in vehicles, parking lots, sidewalks or streets allowed in Seattle City Limits. You are welcome to camp at one of the following campgrounds. We suggest making reservations a few weeks in advance as these campgrounds tend to fill up during summer time.
- KOA Seattle Tacoma Campground 5801 S 212th, Kent 253/872.8652
tents/$27.95 per day, rv/$38.95 (about a 30 minute drive from downtown) - Snoqualmie River Campground 34807 SE 44th PL, Fall City 425/222.5545 tents/$21, rv/$23 (about 20 minutes from downtown)
- Vasa Park Resort and Ballroom 3560 W Lake Sammamish Rd SE, Bellevue 425/746.3260 tents/$20, rv/$25 (about 25 minutes from downtown)
- Yurt Village at Kayak Point 15610 Marine Dr, Stanwood 360/652.7992 tents or rv/$17 (about 1 hour from downtown)
At bed and breakfast
- A Pacific Reservation Service 2040 Westlake Ave. N. #301, Seattle, WA 98109, (800) 684-2932
- Bacon Mansion LLC, 959 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102, (800) 240-1864
- Chambered Nautilus Bed & Breakfast Inn 5005 22nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, (800) 545-8459
- The College Inn Guest House 4000 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, (206) 633-4441
- Pensione Nichols 1923 First Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 441-7125
At extended stay or residence suite
- Best Western Evergreen Inn & Suites 13700 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133-0280, (800) 213-6308
- Marriott Residence Inn Seattle Downtown/ Lake Union 800 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, (206) 624-600, (800) 331-3131
- Oakwood Seattle 312 Second Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119, (866) 368-5407
- Pike Street Suites 1011 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 682-8282
- Seattle’s Vacation Rentals 4231 6th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107, (206) 632-4210
- Seattle Suites 1400 Hubbell Place, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 232-2799
- University Suites 5005 22nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, (800) 545-8459
At hostel
- Green Tortoise Backpackers Hostel 105 B Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 340-1222
- Hostelling International Seattle 520 S. King St., Seattle, Wa 98104, (206) 622-5443
At hotel or motel
- A Moore Hotel 1926 Second Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, (800) 421-5508
- The Ace Hotel 2423 First Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, (206) 448-4721
- Alexis Hotel 1007 First Ave at Madison, Seattle, WA 98104, (888) 850-1155
- Best Western Executive Inn 200 Taylor Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, (800) 351-9444
- Best Western Loyal Inn 2301 Eighth Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, (800) 528-1234
- Best Western Pioneer Square Hotel 77 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98104, (800) 800-5514
- Comfort Suites – Seattle Center 601 Roy St, Seattle, WA 98109, (206) 282-2600
- Courtyard by Marriott – Lake Union 925 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, (800) 321-2211
- Crowne Plaza Hotel Seattle 1113 Sixth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101-3048, (800) 521-2762
- Days Inn Town Center 2205 Seventh Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, (800) 329-7466
- The Edgewater 2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67, Seattle, WA 98121, (800) 624-0670
- Eighth Avenue Inn 2213 8th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, (206) 624-6300
- Executive Hotel Pacific 400 Spring St, Seattle, WA 98104, (800) 426-1165
- The Fairmont Olympic Hotel 411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101, (800) 223-8772 in U.S., (800) 821-8106
- Grand Hyatt Seattle 721 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 774-1234
- Hampton Inn & Suites – Seattle Center 700 Fifth Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, (206) 282-7700
- Hilton Seattle 1301 Sixth Ave at University, Seattle, WA 98101, (800) 426-0535 (800) 542-7700
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites – City Center 226 Aurora Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109, (800) HOLIDAY
- Holiday Inn – Seattle Center 211 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, (800) HOLIDAY
- Homewood Suites by Hilton – Downtown Seattle 206 Western Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119, (800) CALL HOME
- Hotel 1000 1000 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, (206) 315-1088
- Hotel Andra 2000 Fourth Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, (800) 448-8601
- Hotel Max 620 Stewart St, Seattle, WA 98101, (866) 833-6299
- Hotel Monaco 1101 Fourth Ave at Spring Street, Seattle, WA 98101, (888) 454-8397
- Hotel Seattle 315 Seneca St, Seattle, WA 98101, (888) 265-9330
- Hotel Vintage Park 1100 Fifth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, (800) 624-4433
- Hyatt at Olive 8 721 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 774-6208
- The Inn at El Gaucho 2505 First Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, (866) 354-2824
- Inn at Harbor Steps 1221 First Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, (888) 728-8910
- Inn at Queen Anne 505 First Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, (800) 952-5043
- Inn at the Market 86 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101, (800) 446-4484
- The Inn at Virginia Mason 1006 Spring St, Seattle, WA 98104, (800) 283-6453
- La Quinta Inn and Suites 2224 Eighth Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, (800) 437-4867
- MarQueen Hotel 600 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, (888) 445-3076
- Marriott Residence Inn Lake Union 800 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, (800) 331-3131
- Mayflower Park Hotel405 Olive Way Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 623-8700 (800) 426-5100 U.S. & Canada
- The Mediterranean Inn 425 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, (866) 525-4700
- Moore Hotel 1926 Second Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, (800) 421-5508 U.S. & Canada
- Pan Pacific Seattle 2125 Terry Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121, (206) 264-8111
- Panama Hotel 605 1/2 S Main St, Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 223-9242
- The Paramount Hotel, A Coast Hotel 724 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101, (800) 663-1144
- Pike Street Suites 1011 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 682-8282
- Quality Inn & Suites Downtown Seattle 225 Aurora Ave, Seattle, WA 98109, (800) 255-7932
- Ramada Inn Downtown Seattle 2200 Fifth Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, (800) 2-RAMADA
- The Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue Seattle 1415 Fifth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, (800) 504-3909
- Renaissance Seattle Hotel 515 Madison St, Seattle, WA 98104, (800) HOTELS-1
- The Roosevelt, a Coast Hotel 1531 Seventh Ave & Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101, (800) 663-1144
- Seattle Marriott Waterfront 2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Wa 98121
- Seattle Pacific Hotel 325 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, (888) 451-0400
- Sheraton Seattle Hotel 1400 Sixth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, (800) 325-3535
- Shoreline Hotel 16526 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133-5309, (206) 542-7777
- Silver Cloud Hotel – Broadway 1100 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122, (800) 590-1801
- Silver Cloud Hotel – Stadium 1046 First Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134, (800) 497-1261
- Silver Cloud Inn – Seattle Lake Union 1150 Fairview Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109, (800) 330-5812
- Sixth Avenue Inn 2000 Sixth Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, (888) 627-8290
- Sorrento Hotel 900 Madison St, Seattle, WA 98104, (800) 426-1265
- SpringHill Suites 1800 Yale Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, (888) 287-9400
- Travelodge By The Space Needle 200 Sixth Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
- W Seattle 1112 Fourth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, (877) WHOTELS
- Warwick Seattle Hotel 401 Lenora St, Seattle, WA 98121, (800) 426-9280
- The Westin Seattle 1900 Fifth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, (800) WESTIN-1
Lost and Found Items
If you lost an item at the Seattle HEMPFEST™ protestival , we may have it! We keep select found items for a minimum of 30 days after each HEMPFEST™ event. Call or email a detailed description of your lost item, including your full name, phone and email, and if we have it we will get it back to you. If you lose an item during the event you might immediately check with the Operations Booth (in the large compound in Myrtle Edwards Park, near the brick pump-house, at the junction North of the Hemposium Tent) to see if it has already been turned in. You might be surprised by how many honest people attend. You can also leave your information and if your item comes in we will contact you. Every year we end up disposing of a lot of good items whose owners never contacted us, after we could not track the owners down.
Call 206-36-4HEMP or email us at lostandfound@seattlehf.altadar.com