20th Hempfest draws crowd to Seattle park

KNKX Public Radio | By The Associated Press,

Jake Ellison

Published August 19, 2011 at 4:59 PM PDT

Just hours after opening Friday afternoon, Seattle's 20th Hempfest – with booths, venues and concert stages stretching the entire length of Myrtle Edwards and adjacent parks – quickly drew a crowd. (More photos inside.)";s:

The 20th Seattle Hempfestopened at noon Friday in a park on the Seattle waterfront.

(Photo gallery from Friday afternoon inside.)

(See the photos on Flickr, if your mobile device doesn't support Flash.)

Myrtle Edwards Park buzzed with a crowd drawn to a collection of speakers, vendors and bands at the "cannabis policy reform event." It's a political rally, concert and arts and crafts fair all rolled up into one.

Supporters hope it will grow the budding movement to decriminalize marijuana and endorse the benefits of the drug and hemp products.

Hempfest runs through Sunday.

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Jake Ellison

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