8/13, 8/14, and 8/15. If you were a participant (speaker,vendor, member, ect), it was a 3 day affair, 2 days for the general public. If you were a VIP or a part of the Hempstock 2021 Membership, you were invited to a special infused dinner on the farm the Friday night before the big weekend. The 1st Connecticut Hempstock 2021 hosted by Better Together Connecticut in North Stonington Connecticut.
I had arrived to a mostly empty parking lot where there were several cars and a minibus. A tumble weed rolled by and I wondered if I was in the wrong place. The minibus was a shuttle to the festival. I had been driving for a little more than minute and was looking to park it anyway. I hung around smoking a bowl while the bus filled up and then I took the ride. I had my ticket to ride, so I don’t care…
The ride was short enough to barely notice the trip. We had arrived at the farm where Hempstock was being held. You could see a field of Hemp upon entering the compound. The rows of green across a small ocean of vegetation made me think this is the new normal. Wands of green. The rows of stalks waving in the wind resembling the calmness of the rolling waves of the ocean. With each movement of the plants the sunlight would crack through like a blessing bringing on a weird inner joy. It’s good and wholesome here. I can see how a place like this can bring on a smile in either rain or shine.
They let us off the bus and we moved freely about the place. There was security with all terrain vehicles. There was additional parking available for vendors and participants. Then I entered the field… This was where all the magic was happening. This is where the vendors and showmen gather.
It all opened on Saturday with an Eastern Pequot Nation Drum Ceremony and Dance Presentation. Then the bands played on and the workshops began. Things like sound bathing and Ganja Yoga appeared. Senators Osten and Somers rolled through as well as a visit from Jonathan Harris. Did I mention the food trucks? Then there were those whom have specialized in the ancient arts of jumping, swinging and balancing while combining strength, grace, balance, flexibility, dance, gymnastics and contortionism. OH BOY!!! A JOINT ROLLING CONTEST!
Wait a minute… What the hell is Blue Point medical dispensary doing here? Um… yah. Anyways…
Sunday was pretty cool too. I ran into an old colleague and friend Brian Essenter. We had worked together for a number of years in dispensary and hadn’t seen each other since the initial Covid lock down. We were both booked to speak and we were discussing what topics we had intended on covering. However the bands were behind schedule and they ran out of time. We payed no mind to it, these things happen. We went to the parking lot and drank some beers that I had stowed away in my cooler and had good conversation. Of course it was good conversation, we were both in good company. The rest of the day was pretty much all live music and workshops that revolved around cannabis infused foods, which is pretty awesome.
But I did get a chance to speak with Dr Stefana Pecher, she owns the farm and hosted the event. The farm offers a curriculum there that covers all aspects from seed to sale of a hemp product. Planting, growing, harvesting, drying, curing, extracting, product production, and labeling are covered in their courses. A full hands-on experience with the process. The good Doctor and crew are currently working on implementing a network so those that complete their curriculum have better access to jobs. Which is why I love what they do. I had asked “What possessed you to host an event such as this?” “I wanted to create an environment where everyone gets along. Look, everyone’s getting along.” Replied Pecher.
For a weekend of camping, food, fun, music, education, and cannabis… This was great. The food was good, acrobatics was a plus, and there was water everywhere, I was never thirsty. Plus, they had a REALLY nice silent auction highlighting all the vendors from the event. I have no idea who won…
I hope this is something that will continue to grow with each passing year. Someone had to start the process and get the ball rolling, it really needed to be done. I hope your ball continues to roll and I hope next year you have a bigger ball.🎊
