As the national stoner holiday approaches, partner organizations Tucson Foodie and Tucson Doobie come together to organize a festival of local food, paired with live music and — of course — weed. For Tucson Doobie Co-CEO Chrissy Mance, 420Fest is “just a celebration of cannabis, truly.”
“It’s an event designed to shed some light on cannabis culture and celebrate the plant for both its medicinal and recreational value,” Mance said. “I think it’s amazing to get hundreds of people from all walks of life together all in one spot where we’re able to openly consume cannabis and celebrate the plant.”
This year’s 420Fest will unfold on Saturday, April 18 at the MSA Annex — a new venue for the event. Dispensaries and cannabis vendors local to Tucson and across the state at large will be in attendance with various weed wares and offerings for guests to peruse. The brands include Trulieve, Curaleaf, Nature Med Dispensaries, PRIME Leaf, IO Extracts, Saints Dispensary and many others — bringing flower, concentrates, edibles, and vapes.
The focal point of the event is the Curaleaf 4:20 Community Joint Lighting, which Mance said is similar to a toast. The cannabis dispensary will provide guests with a joint, which everyone sparks together at 4:20 p.m. to commemorate the occasion.
To meet the munchies head on, Cowpig Food Truck has curated a food consisting of a mini smash burger, chicken slider and three special egg rolls — humorously called pre-rolls, filled with chicken, fries and buffalo sauce. The Munchie Box will also include french fries and a cookie.
“I love the ingenuity of stoner food,” Mance said. “Everybody has that story of microwaving hot dog nachos or something ridiculous like that — and it’s nice to have these little things that kind of hit at the surface of what the cannabis community represents.”
Beyond Cowpigs Munchie Box, the MSA Annex has various restaurants open for 420Fest attendees to explore as well — including Bōs Burger, Rollies, Seis Kitchen and La Estrella.
420Fest will also include live music performances from ADHDub, Jam Now and Funky Bonz. DJ Jahmar, the Tucson Doobie co-CEO said, will perform and MC for the evening.
Additionally, the festival grounds will be home to live glass blowing by Sunset Glass Gallery, artisan booths, games and other interactive demonstrations. In light of the expected warm weather, the area will be shaded to allow attendees to avoid direct sunlight.
Tickets are available at tucsonfoodie.com, with various admission options. Beyond $40 general admission, there is also a $75 VIP ticket option, which grants access to a VIP check-in line, Curated goody bag from Prime Leaf Dispensary and a voucher for a $5 Cowpig Munchie Box — otherwise costing $25.
This year marks 420Fest’s second year, according to Mance, the team is expecting approximately 700 guests — roughly the same number as its inaugural run. With the event date right around the corner, Mance said 420Fest is sure to be an energetic celebration of community.
“We got some great feedback from our attendees and sponsors and that feedback encouraged us to do the event again,” she said. “I’m excited to see everybody — I really just want the place to be packed with smiling faces and good energy.”