cannabisnews.com: Hempstock Celebrates 10th Anniversary Hempstock Celebrates 10th Anniversary Posted by FoM on August 21, 2000 at 07:56:08 PT By Judy Harrison, of the News Staff Source: Bangor Daily News Ten years ago, 750 people gathered at Harry Brown’s farm on Route 43 to listen to music, support the legalization of marijuana and, by all accounts, pass around a few joints. Hempstock turned 10 this weekend and nearly 5,000 people showed up to celebrate the milestone.Back this year were the same problems with parking and alcohol that have plagued the event since attendance swelled to 10,000 in 1993. State Trooper Aaron Hayden said about 40 vehicles were towed off Route 43, three people were charged with drunken driving, and another three arrested for disorderly conduct. In addition, a few individuals were picked up on outstanding warrants and a couple of minors were charged with possession of alcohol, according to Hayden, who spent nearly 36 hours on duty over the weekend. As of early Sunday afternoon, no one had been arrested for possession of marijuana or any other drugs, he said.“This year’s event was similar to last year’s, but it was a smaller crowd,” the trooper observed. “We definitely had more cars last year. The majority of the complaints were about the traffic. Nobody made a noise complaint.”What police said is a “safety issue,” organizers called harassment. Don Christen, founder of Maine Vocals, who was honored this year for his decade of planning the event, successfully argued that cars parked entirely off the road were legally parked. Vehicles that were parked partially on the road were towed.Adam Libby of Norridgewock has helped with event security since Hempstock’s inception. Because it is illegal for attendees to consume alcohol at such mass gatherings, he and other volunteers, ranging in age from teen-agers to grandparents, poured out between 400 and 500 cans and bottles of alcohol — mostly beer — during the four-day festival, according to Libby. They also filled the back of a pickup truck with alcohol taken from attendees as they entered the site and stored it off the premises.Libby said his 17-year-old son was issued a summons for possession of alcohol as a minor because he was emptying beer taken from festival-goers. State police refused to comment on the incident because it involved a minor.Hempstock’s relations with the town were stormy a few years ago but have evolved into something of an institution in this hilly farming community. In 1995, voters tried to block the festival by banning mass gatherings. This year, neighbors offered parking, camping spots and firewood for sale.Whatever tensions occurred at the perimeter of Brown’s farm, they did not make it up the road and invade the festival itself. Food vendors sold hamburgers, hot dogs and fried dough just as they do at many other events every summer around the state. Bernie Colangeli Jr. of Lakeport, N.H., takes his customized T-shirt business on the road to 14 state fairs, fishing derbies and Hempstock-type festivals a year. He has attended the Starks event since 1995 and declared it “just like all the rest of the festivals, but mellower.”Wade and Judy Grant had not intended to attend Hempstock X. The Gouldsboro couple were headed farther south to attend a motorcycle rally, but decided to check out the music at the festival when the wind picked up Friday night. Luckily they had their camping gear — a tent, king-size inflatable air mattress, pillows, fold-up cooler, chairs and clean clothes — packed on their bike.“We came for the bands,” said Wade Grant. “We outgrew the drugs, alcohol and all that stuff a long time ago. I think people should be able to smoke [marijuana] at home, though. It shouldn’t be illegal.”Nineteen-year-old Eric Becker of Bangor spent his third weekend at Hempstock. He also attended Woodstock ’99 and the Phish Lemonwheel Tour in Limestone. He and his brother Stephen, 18, were dropped off at the event by a friend Friday night, confident they would be able to catch a ride home Sunday. His optimism paid off.“This is the last chance of the summer to get away and relax,” said Eric Becker, who described marijuana being sold, traded, shared and smoked openly over the weekend. “Everybody’s nice and friendly and stuff. We got to meet new people, and a couple of the bands were really good.”That’s just about how Christen described the event last week.“People keep coming to hear great music and because they want to see changes in the laws. We provide a pretty good show like any fair,” he said of the event on Bijah Hill that is well on its way to becoming a summer institution. Published: Monday, August 21, 2000Source: Bangor Daily News (ME)Copyright: 2000, Bangor Daily News Inc.Contact: bdnmail bangornews.infi.netWebsite: http://www.bangornews.com/Related Article:Charges Dropped Against Organizer of Pot Festival http://cannabisnews.com/news/5/thread5234.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #11 posted by angela on October 02, 2001 at 17:30:10 PT: harvest festivals I've been to a number of festivals in upstate ny this year (sterling stage and freedom park) and i am interested in the upcoming festival at harry brown's farm and i heard of a good one in afton ny at echo lake resort and campgrounds. does anyone have any info about bands, ticket prices,directions, etc... please contact me. thank you [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Charline on September 18, 2001 at 22:19:30 PT: Hempfest 2001, This was my 5th year going to the festival, again I enjoyed myself immensely, Meeting new people, sharing with one another and helping each other with little things like holding one side of the tarp for someone else that is all alone and the more arms the merrier. If you haven't made it up there yet you should make it a priority. It will be the best weekend of the summer. Myself I plan my vacation around it so I know for sure to be there. The third weekend in August the best one of the summer. Hope to see-ya there Be Careful, Stick together [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Jacqui on August 28, 2001 at 09:15:23 PT: lost friend Hi Im looking for a guy I met at hempstock this past show. I dont remember his name but I know he is from Buckston, ME. He would remember me by my mink. If you read this, E-Mail me thanx. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by amy on August 19, 2001 at 09:44:44 PT: Hempstock 2001 I had a kickass time at Hempstock in Starks this weekend!!! I will definitely be there again next year.I met this guy there named Vin who let me borrow his coat.When I left I forgot to give it back to him.Sorry Vin! If you happen to see this message,E mail me.Peace! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Brook on July 28, 2001 at 11:57:21 PT: Help! I'm trying to find out some info on where in Washington state the Hempstock is this year? I know it's on August 4th&5th, but I lost my flyer for it saying where it is!!!Any information would be appreciated.Peace to all,Brook [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by art on May 23, 2001 at 11:47:44 PT: harvestfest'01 calender i'm looking for harvestfest6'01 where and when thank you [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Jay on May 14, 2001 at 04:57:17 PT: Hempstock/Harvestfest/Freedomfest I attented last years harvestfest, it's definately an experience. One I would like to have again, so like everyone else, I could use some info on the dates of these awesome festivities, so if you can help thanx, see you there! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by josh shebel on March 15, 2001 at 07:54:02 PT: Hempstock/ harvest fest/ freedom fest I am looking for information about these three festivals Hempstock, harvest fest,and freedom fest. I have never been to any one of them and was looking for information on when and where they are each year. Thank you [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Dan L on January 15, 2001 at 15:56:29 PT: HEMPSTOCK i love hempstock so much, all winter i just think about how next summer how fun hempstocks gonna be.i wish that hempstock could be a whole summer thing...so it never ends..so many budz, so good....LEGALIZE! my page [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Huebner on October 20, 2000 at 22:12:07 PT: HarvestFest Although I missed Hempstock, I did attend HARVESTFEST in early October at Harry Brown's farm. Not only was it a wonderful show full of cool booths and interesting stands, but the people were all nice and open minded. Not to mention the BUD!!! This was my first year at Harvestfest, but from now on I plan on basing my whole year around saving up money to blow on the 3 wonderful festivals that Harry has been generous enough to host on his property (Hempstock, Harvestfest, and Freedomfest).. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 21, 2000 at 19:19:38 PT Salon's Daily Audio Clip - The Straight Dope The late comedian Bill Hicks says marijuana shouldn't just be legalized, it should be mandatory. http://www.mp3lit.com/nonfiction/bhicks.htmlAudio:"War on Drugs" (2:50)Real Audio:http://www.mp3lit.com/real/bhicks1.ramMP3 - Audio:http://www.mp3lit.com/mp3s/bhicks1.mp3 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: