Day 261: Emerald Cup Festival

Mr. E and I spent some time writing holiday cards in the comfy lobby area of the hotel on Saturday evening.  We were close enough to the Front Desk to overhear several phone calls that were obviously from folks trying to find available lodging for the night.  The hotel was fully booked, and we heard the staff mention numerous other hotels in the area that were equally engaged. 

Neither of us could figure out why it would be such a busy weekend, so when Mr. E walked over to the small commercial area next door to get some food, I asked the Front Desk staff what was going on and learned that the busy weekend was a result of the Emerald Cup Festival.

The 11th annual Festival was held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and featured Two days of incredible music, world famous speakers, and over a hundred great vendors... for every cannabis enthusiast. Non-stop excitement for entertainment, learning, and sharing of all sorts of treats. PLUS some major laughs from cannabis comedians... (who knew there was such a specialty?!).

The online version of The Press Democrat featured an article with the title "Pot festival meets country fair at Emerald Cup in Santa Rosa" and the following illustrative photo:

I think the first paragraph from the article pretty much says it all... Marijuana culture took center stage on the first day of a high-profile organic cannabis competition at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, a first for the county and perhaps a harbinger of the drug's eventual outright legalization.