Where is Seattle Hempfest?

Since 1995 Hempfest has been held on the 3rd weekend of August in Myrtle Edwards Park on the beautiful Seattle waterfront, just North of Pier 70 at the corner of Alaskan Way and Broad street.

The event spans three Seattle waterfront parks: Elliott Bay Park (North Entrance), Myrtle Edwards Park, and Olympic Sculpture Park (South Entrance).

Seattle is in Washington State, on the Northwest corner of the United States in North America. Interstate 5 runs North-South from Vancouver BC to Portland, OR. From Interstate 5 North or South you can't miss Seattle, and when you get to the city just take the Mercer street exit to Seattle Center. [Home of the Space Needle.] You will end up heading West on Broad street. When you hit the water [Puget Sound], you're there! To beat the crowds, use the north entrance by crossing the Amgen Pedestrian Bridge off of W Prospect Street at Elliott Ave. It has an elevator and is wheelchair accessible, placing the avid attendee just north of Seattle Hempfest's north entrance. There is very little parking at W Prospect Street, some can be found on Elliott and on lower Queen Anne Hill. So your best bet is to walk, bike, or take a metro bus to that location. Take metro bus 18 to north entrance, and 15 to south entrance. Downtown Seattle has several parking garages.

Where can I park?

There in no parking at Myrtle Edwards Park. There are pay parking lots nearby in downtown and Queen Anne. Street parking is free after 6 p.m. and all day on Sundays. Access the north entrance from Elliott Avenue by crossing the DNA pedestrian bridge at Prospect Street. Limited unmetered parking can often be found along Elliott.

Can I get paid to work at Hempfest?

Nope. Nobody gets paid a cent to work on Hempfest, not the general staff, not the coordinators, not the directors. We are all volunteers, and this is a labor of love! We've been busting our butts for 19 years to end the drug war, and we can't put on such a huge show without the help of over 1,000 general staff volunteers who work the week of the 'Fest, so please sign up to volunteer and encourage your friends and family to join us! We also have a Core Group of over 140 people who meet each and every month of the year to plan Hempfest.

What do I get for volunteering?

Besides a sense of self-worth, a gallon of good karma, many new friends, and our undying gratitude you will also receive loads of Special Event Production experience, a highly-prized and attractive Staff T-Shirt, and a fabulous meal and free caffeine and as much water as you can drink for each shift you work.

How do I volunteer?

The best way to sign up to work Hempfest is to fill out the Online Volunteer Staff Application, located at: http://hempfest.org/drupal/Volunteers

After submitting your Volunteer Application and selecting your shifts, you will receive an email for EACH shift you've signed up for. Please write down or print your selected shifts- This is your reminder of your volunteer commitment! If you need to change, add or delete any shifts, you can do so any time by logging into the website and going here; http://hempfest.org/drupal/myschedule

You can also request an electronic, printable application from staff2010@hempfest.org if you will be under 18 years of age during Hempfest 2010.
Please be sure to mail it in by August 1st. The staff orientation meetings, directions to the park, and other information are below.

Why is the Online Application so much BETTER than just showing up to Volunteer?

1. Our busy Volunteers at Hempfest don't have to type in your information when you do it yourself -- this saves literally HUNDREDS of hours.
2. You get the shifts/crews you want, the earlier you sign up.
3. More time to ask and get your questions answered.
4. You don't have to wait in the long line of "Walk-In Volunteers", and your check-in goes super-fast when your application is already in the database. This saves the Staff Check-In crew many, many hours!
5. Some people are paranoid about signing up online. The database we type you into on-site at Hempfest is the SAME database, protected by the same stringent security systems and firewalls. We don't give or sell your info to ANYONE. If you're still nervous about signing up as a volunteer, then don't bother -- Just enjoy the 'Fest!

How do I get a Password if my Crew is listed as "Internal" on the Volunteer Staff Application?

If your Crew is listed as "Internal", please contact your Crew Coordinator for your Crew's password, or email Staff Services at: staff2010@hempfest.org and we'll get you in touch with your Coordinator.

How do I know I've been accepted as a volunteer?

We need so many volunteers, we're not in the habit of turning folks away! In the event that a particular shift is filled up, the Online Application will ask you to pick another shift. When you fill out the Volunteer Staff Application you are SCHEDULING YOURSELF for specific shifts that YOU choose. You are making a commitment to show up for those shifts, and we don't have the person-power to call everyone and remind them of their shifts.

Please write down your selected shifts- This is your reminder of your volunteer commitment! If you need to change, add, or delete any shifts, you can do so any time by logging into the website and going here; http://hempfest.org/drupal/myschedule

When and Where are the Staff Orientation Meetings?

Please help us recruit more staff by bringing friends and family with you! Staff members are required to attend an Orientation/Walkthrough meeting at Myrtle Edwards Park on one of the following dates:

Saturday, August 14th, 5-7 pm

Myrtle Edwards Park is located on the Seattle Waterfront, just North of Pier 70 at the junction of Alaskan Way and Broad St. We will meet at the 3 Big Rocks Sculpture in the middle of the park; walk North about 1/4 mile from the South entrance and you literally can't miss it! Chances are, the weather will be pretty nice for these meetings, but if it's POURING, come to the next scheduled Orientation meeting.

One last-minute make-up Orientation meeting is also scheduled for right before the 'Fest, meeting at Staff Check-In:

Thursday, August 19th, 3-4 pm

What if I live far away and can't make it to any of those Orientation dates?

Please let us know at Staff Check-In if you need an Orientation packet!

How do I find Staff Check-In?

When entering Myrtle Edwards Park from the South end (at the junction of Alaskan Way and Broad street, aka Olympic Sculpture Park), head North into the park and travel on the water-side path about 1/8 mile. Just after a small hill with several trees on it you will see a small building on your left, along the water [this is the Pumphouse] and a fenced-in area filled with tents on your right, on the East side of the park. That's where you're headed, to the tents. There will be a gate into the fenced area, with a large sign that reads; "Staff Check-In".

When entering Myrtle Edwards Park form the North [Prospect St. Pedestrian Bridge,] walk South along the water-side path until you see a small building on your right, along the water [this is the Pumphouse,] and a fenced-in area filled with tents on your left, on the East side of the park. That's where you're headed, to the tents. There will be a gate into the fenced area, with a large sign that reads; "Staff Check-In".

Or ask anyone working in the park.

If you are Pre-Registerd using the Online Volunteer Application, and working in the North End [Elliott Bay Park] you may use North Staff Check-In to check in for Saturday and Sunday shifts.

Why do I have to bring my Photo ID with me to Staff Check-In?

Two reasons:
First, we must make sure that volunteers under the age of 18 have permission to volunteer from their parent or legal guardian.

Second, we need to have your legal name on your volunteer application for liability and insurance reasons. We are the largest Hempfest in the world and one of the largest special events in the State of Washington, and we must adhere strictly to the laws in order to retain our status as a Constitutionally-Protected Free-Speech event. In other words, there wouldn't BE a Hempfest if we didn't follow all the rules and jump through all the hoops! So, all paranoia aside, we're only looking at your ID to check your name and age.

What if I'll still be under 18 years old by the time Hempfest rolls around?

You need to fill out a Hardcopy Volunteer application (request one from staff2010@hempfest.org ) and have your parent or legal guardian sign where indicated under the "Your Info" section. They will also be asked to list their contact phone # so the Staff Director can call them and verify their permission and answer any questions they may have about Hempfest or your volunteer work. You will need to mail your Hardcopy Application to us by August 1st - NO minors will be allowed to sign-up as Walk-In volunteers, as the Staff Director must contact your parents BEFORE Hempfest for confirmation. The only exception to this Pre-Registration rule will be for Parents and Children working together on the SAME Crew and Shift. Just to be really safe, and not freak out our insurance company, we only allow minors to work the DAY SHIFTS, so you will need to leave the park before dark!

Can I work in multiple positions?

Sure. As long as your chosen shifts don't overlap or conflict with each other. Lots of people work on two or more different Crews!

Can I work multiple shifts?

Sure. As long as you get enough breaks, sleep, food, water you are welcome to fill as many shifts as you like.

What should I bring to my shift?

Your orientation packet will have a list, but basically bring layers [it can be hot or cold on the Seattle Waterfront, and windy, and the weather can change rapidly,] snacks and water, flashlights for night crews, hardhats, gloves, and safety shoes for construction crews, your own coffee cup/water bottle/chopsticks, etc. to save disposable products.
ALL Setup and Teardown Volunteers must wear CLOSED-TOE SHOES and a Hempfest Safety VEST while on site. This means ALL Volunteers onsite on Aug. 17-20 AND Aug. 23-25!

Why can't I bring my pets?

1. You'll be working.
2. Dogs are not allowed at Hempfest.
3. We've had pets lost at Hempfest.
4. It's gonna be busy, hot, and crowded, with lots of big trucks and heavy equipment.
5. There will be no safe place to tie up or leave your pet.
6. Dogs, especially, have been problematic in the past, and we've reluctantly had to BAN dogs from Hempfest.
Washington State Service Animal laws are observed at Seattle Hempfest.

Why can't I bring booze?

Alcohol is NOT allowed at Hempfest. We do not have a permit for alcohol consumption or sales. Please wait until after you shift and after you've left the park.

Why can't I smoke pot?

Marijuana is still illegal in the United States, despite legislation in 35 states to change that! Myrtle Edwards Park is a City of Seattle Park, and all parks in Seattle are registered as DRUG FREE ZONES, meaning all penalties [jail time, fines] are DOUBLED. Anyone caught doing anything illegal while working for Hempfest [ie; on shift/wearing your staff shirt &/or pass] will be summarily dismissed from our staff.

What if I'm a legal Medical Marijuana user in compliance with RCW 69.51A?

We still cannot have volunteers partaking of [Federally] illegal substances while working for Hempfest [ie; on shift/wearing your staff shirt &/or pass]. It is also a misdemeanor for a Medical Marijuana patient to use Marijuana in "public view."

Can we camp at the park?

Nope. We wish! However, it's illegal, and that's a bummer! We ask that ALL staff not scheduled to work a Night Security shift leave the park before dark.

Here is a URL for info on local transportation, lodging and camping, and directions to Myrtle Edwards Park:

http://hempfest.org/drupal/node/19

Any other questions? Want to receive the Hempfest Staff E-Newsletter? Email Staff Services via: staff2010@hempfest.org