cannabisnews.com: 'Bongathon' Brings Excitement and Profit!





'Bongathon' Brings Excitement and Profit!
Posted by FoM on August 24, 1999 at 12:33:00 PT
By Coleman Cornelius
Source: Denver Post
August 24 - RED FEATHER LAKES - Patti McMillan watched 60 to 80 police cars converge in this mountain village at dawn Saturday.
Four hours later, the tiny Larimer County town filled with hundreds of hung-over partygoers. They had been rousted from cars and sleeping bags during an unprecedented police raid on an illegal music and drug festival - widely known as the 25th annual Colorado Invitational, or "bongathon.''Booted from their remote weekend party grounds, the revelers bought snacks, soda and beer from McMillan's stores, Red Feather Trading Post and Red Feather Liquors."They basically moved from there down to the town. The town was packed. They were very pleasant and very courteous. From a business standpoint, we were very pleased to have them here,'' McMillan said. "They spent a lot of money for a couple hours before they moved on down the road.''On Monday, Red Feather Lakes was still abuzz with news of the huge party and police raid, which local law-enforcement officials said was probably the largest of its kind ever staged in Larimer County, involving up to 150 officers from 10 agencies.The festival, which began Friday night, featured booze, drugs and live music. It drew more than 2,000 people from throughout Colorado and beyond, said Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden.The raid yielded 18 arrests for felony drug charges and 24 citations for petty offenses.Two Denver-area men suspected as key players are expected to face drug charges in Larimer County District Court this week.Investigators believe Michael J. Davis, 37, of Lakewood, hosted the festival on land he owns about 10 miles northeast of Red Feather Lakes. Christopher T. Lopez, 30, of Littleton, is suspected of promoting the event.According to county records, Davis bought 38.5 acres of land for $19,600 in 1992.The property is off a dirt road that's so narrow, partygoers had to drive in on Friday - and exit the next morning - going single file at a snail's pace, neighbors said.This was the second summer Davis hosted partygoers, neighbors said. The first year, locals were surprised by the rowdy festival.But when the portable toilets began arriving Thursday, the neighbors knew what was up. They alerted the sheriff, who organized the early morning bust.Authorities said the annual bongathon - a reference to a type of water pipe used to smoke marijuana - has been held in other spots in previous. Pubdate: August 24, 1999
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Comment #2 posted by Rusty Austin on June 29, 2001 at 19:19:33 PT
The Bongathon Rules!
The Bongathon is a great legacy to the world...I hope it continues on for the 50th, 75th, and 100th..
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Comment #1 posted by Dude on August 24, 1999 at 17:32:40 PT
Invasion of the Law Enforcement Folly
Hmmm... A party on private property. Sounds like the sheriff may have exceeded his jurisdiction. And party or not, if you converge on any large gathering, you will most likely find at least the same number of people to arrest on similar charges.
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