A local raceway is set to go up in smoke this summer, but it won’t be from burnt rubber.
The Original Cannabis Crown music and arts festival, presented by Beachgrass Events, is set to light up Hartford August 26th and 27th at Hartford Motor Speedway.
“The Cannabis Crown ultimately is a celebration of the entire cannabis community,” said organizer Jeff Remijas. “From musicians to artists to artisans, we want everyone represented who has a role within this community.”
The festival is a licensed cannabis consumption event, and will feature on-site sales by Niles’ Green Stem Provisions, local vendors, cannabis education and two nights of music headlined by Joe Marcinek’s Dead Funk Summit.
Dead Funk Summit originated as the guitarist’s project with Meters bassist George Porter Jr. and Jerry Garcia Band organist Melvin Seals, and has evolved into a unique, improvised collaboration with big names from the jam band scene, funk scene and beyond.
The band will headline both nights at the festival with an all-star lineup featuring members of the String Cheese Incident, Moe., Dumpstaphunk, Ghost-Note, Particle and more.
“Joe really went big for us,” Remijas said. “I’ve known Joe for about 15 years now, and watching his career and complementary musicians evolve over the years has been pretty sweet. And then to be hosting our first licensed cannabis event with him as the headliner … sometimes the world just slaps you in the face with what makes sense to do.”
Remijas – a long-time medical cannabis patient, caregiver and proponent of home cultivation – said the festival originally planned to include a cannabis competition with both licensed dispensaries and home growers, but the testing facility they lined up recently went out of business.
“It’s unfortunate to see that go, but we still have all of the other elements,” Remijas said. “From glass blowing to live art … we’re trying to incorporate cannabis culture into everything we’re doing.”
Green Stem will be on site selling cannabis products from 1 to 8 p.m. each day. Single day festival passes cost $55, with camping at the Paw Paw River Campground available for an additional $50 for two nights of camping. Visit theoriginalcannabiscrown.com or follow the festival on Instagram for more details.
Music Lineup
Friday
- Stealin’ the Farm | Michigan City, IN
- DJ Logic | Bronx, NY
- Mr. Blotto | Chicago, IL
- Dead Funk Summit
Saturday
- Mo & Co.
- Midwest Hype | Chicago, IL
- DJ Logic | Bronx, NY
- Chester Brown | Chesterton, IN
- Dead Funk Summit
By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com
