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LOWDOWN: The Humboldt Marijuana Legacy and Mecca Cup Combo Event at Redwood Acres

by Emily Hobelmann

LoCO readers, here are some questions for you: 

This Saturday, CSI: Humboldt and The Pirates of the Emerald Triangle will present the inaugural Humboldt The Marijuana Legacy event at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in Eureka. And on Sunday the 30th, the already established Humboldt Mecca Cup competition will take place at Redwood Acres in conjunction with HTML. (Although the HTML initialism is totally enthralling, I'll be using "The Legacy" hereinafter because it's cooler.)

Let's acknowledge a couple of major things right off the bat: The Mecca Cup is officially graduating from Ocean Grove to Redwood Acres. And the Legacy is a novel weed event that will focus on Humboldt's history and reputation. It's being produced by people that genuinely believe your Humboldt weed stories and opinions matter, that your unique perspective might just be worth preserving. Hence the questions at the top. 

Combo event Executive Producer and Staff Organizer Ole Persson broke it down for me, telling me about the yin and yang essence of next weekend's double weed whammy. You see, The Legacy is all about knowledge sharing and bringing history forward, and the Mecca Cup is about celebration. It's a full circle sort of deal: Let's acknowledge and learn from the past, and then let's party. 

Celebrating weed is a commonplace thing for most folks in Humboldt: "Yessss! I just moved a box." "Oh damn, this fresh-pressed rosin is fire!" "Whoah, the nugs on this plant are bigger than my thigh!" Weed competitions and knowlege-sharing events are commonplace too -- there's always some informational event or panel happening around here on how to grow, how to trim, how to get permits, how to secure water rights, on how to blast dabs... 

So I'll tell ya what sets The Legacy and Mecca Cup apart. 

The combo event admission price is $20 for the weekend, a price which includes live music. Admission affordable so the community will show the eff up, Persson says. "When shit is overpriced, it doesn't allow for the community be out in strength." Truth. The vendor fees for the weekend are reasonable too: $300 for non-215 and $700 for 215 vendors. It's doable.

The combo event is for 215-holders only -- you have to have a valid medical marijuana recommendation to attend. There is no segregation of the weed and the not-weed, so the 215 vendors will be integrated with all the rest. This means you can consume cannabis throughout the designated event zone, which Persson says will be a fenced-in area between the grandstands and the Turf Club.

Humboldt is a world-wide phenomenon when it comes to weed, and Persson says the deal with The Legacy is that it's time to "expose and promote the history of our area." So on Saturday, there will be a gallery displaying photos and articles in order to form a loose timeline of Humboldt's weed history. This is a unique focal point for a local event, and it's not about rehashing an ugly past. It's more about "looking at history as a way to secure our future" and filling in the gaps.  

What's cool is that The Legacy event organizers are in the beginnings of a People's Weed History of Humboldt project. (My words. Persson calls their undertaking "open public knowledge shares.") They will will have an "intake booth" set up at the event where you can share weed history and perspectives on the industry. (However, they may just exchange contact info with you to connect more formally at a later date.) Your open knowledge shares may just be built into The Legacy 2018.

So maybe that's one of your family members on display in the gallery, or maybe you witnessed a fucked up CAMP raid as a youngster. Let them know. Persson says, "we have to have an undilluted look at what our history is," so they want to hear your stories, whether negative or postive. The goal is to build for a dynamic future by acknowledging the past.

Another unique thing: The Legacy will host its own weed competition on Saturday amongst the 215 vendors. Celebrity judges will visit participating vendors and actually interact with them while they search for their favorite products. There will also be expert panels on branding and cultivation from 3-6 p.m. After that it's "extra curricular activities," music and fun stuff till 10 p.m. Check their website later this week for a more detailed schedule. 

As for The Mecca Cup, it's an OG Humboldt weed competition with the flower and concentrate entries judged in advance of the event by honorary judges (people they pick to judge) and by people that pay to judge. It's a "blind" situation, so the judges know not what they smoke. Persson says they received 36 entries total, mostly flowers and about 5-6 concentrates. Mecca winners will receive cash prizes and hella cred at the awards ceremony on Sunday at 3 p.m. 

The Mecca Cup also features a People's Choice award. On Sunday, of the entries will be on display, and attendees will get to vote on their faves based on look, smell and appeal. That's right, attendees actually get to handle (but not consume) the entries as part of their judging experience. People's Choice winners will be announced at the Sunday ceremony. The Legacy's 215-vendor competition winners will be announced then as well.

Local charter schools are doing food sales all weekend and will reap the proceeds from everyone's munchies. (Persson didn't specify which schools are reppin'.) Redwood Acres is doing beer and wine sales. Plus, Persson says that a portion of ticket and vendor/sponsorship proceeds will be donated to Redwood Acres for their community-oriented projects.

The event runs Saturday and Sunday from 1-10 p.m., and there is live music and lots of vendors on both days. Saturday's lineup is all local -- rock, reggae and rap. Sunday's headliner is Devin the Dude, with additional performances from Lil Debbie, 1-Ton from Potluck and more. You need a valid 215 to attend. There will be a medical marijuana doctor on-site if ya need one. The $20 tix are available online and at the event.  

"We all live in a cannafied world now," Persson says, "and there's no denying it." He advises that you take this affordable opportunity to get familiar with the past, present and future of our scene. 

EVENTS (SUBMIT YOURS!)

High Elevation Butterfly Field Trip

See Event Description / 9 a.m.-4 p.m. / Free

Join Redwood Region Audubon Society for a butterfly-specific trip from Horse to Grouse Mountain. Various fritillaries, blues, swallowtails, coppers, and hairstreaks are expected, and we might also get lucky and find the recently described Disguised Wood-Nymph.

476-9238 / gfalxa@suddenlink.net / Web site

Roll on the Mattole

Mattole Grange / noon-midnight / $25 / $20 students and seniors

The Honeydew Volunteer Fire Company presents the 28th annual event feturing music by Poor Man's Whiskey, Wild Otis, Stevie Culture, Vanishing Pints, Bluff Creek Boys, John David Young Trio and more.

Web site

2017 Humboldt Mecca Cup

Redwood Acres Fairgrounds / 1 p.m. / $20

This event celebrates the rich culture and history of the Marijuana industry in Humboldt and all over the globe!

Humboldt Crabs vs. Pacific Union Financial Capitalists

Arcata Ball Park / 7 p.m. / $9

Your hometown heroes whoop up on some other lesser team. Peanuts, crackerjacks, etc.

Web site

Plays in the Park

Redwood Park / 7-9 p.m. / $16 / $13 Seniors & Students

True North Theater Alliance, in partnership with the Arcata Recreation Division, is proud to present Plays in the Park, returning to Redwood Park this summer. Get ready for live theater under the redwoods and open sky!

442-6278 / calder.johnson@gmail.com / Web site

RLa w/ deSTINA: Celebrating Billie Holiday

Westhaven Center for the Arts / 7:30-9:30 p.m. / $5 / $10 sliding scale

Copenhagen-born singer deSTINA has lived the past seven years in South America where she is a versatile performer and recording artist on the scene in Bahia, Brazil.

677-9493 /

The Liar

North Coast Repertory Theatre / 8-10 p.m. / $16 / $13 Students / Seniors

"This bitingly witty farce from comedic maestro David Ives turns 17th century France on its ear in a non-stop linguistic masterpiece. Dorante is a charming young man with a bright future and one glaring personality quirk – he cannot tell the truth."

442-6278 / northcoastrepertory@gmail.com / Web site

The Legend of Georgia McBride

Redwood Curtain Theatre / 8-9:30 p.m. / $22 Gala Opening Night / $17 Friday/Saturday/Matinees / $10 Thursdays and Previews

"He's young, he’s broke, and he’s just found out his wife is going to have a baby! To make matters even more desperate, Casey's been fired from his gig as an Elvis impersonator in a run-down, small-town Florida bar."

443-7688 / info@redwoodcurtain.com / Web site

Jonathan Richman

Arcata Playhouse / 8 p.m. / $22 / $20 members / $20 students

The Arcata Playhouse presents and evening with Jonathan Richman. Richman has been playing music, recording and touring for most of his life.

822-1575 / thearcataplayhouse@gmail.com / Web site

Elevate: Funk and Breaks Edition

Humboldt Brews / 9 p.m.-2 a.m. / $7 / 21+

Fraktal Productions presents Dj Red, BOAm Basstardm Marjo Lak. Visuals by Marmalade Sky.

826-2739 / Web site

Get Out and Play Day 2017

See Event Description / 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Skateboard Competition for all ages on July 29

Eureka Skate Park / 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Enter to Win a Night Out for Two on Get Out and Play Day

See Event Description / 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Enter to Win a Night Out for Two on Get Out and Play Day

See Event Description / 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Arcata Marsh and Widlife Sanctuary Bird Walk

See Event Description / 8:30-11 a.m. / Free

Redwood Region Audubon Society is sponsoring a free public field trip at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Web site

Introduction to Sailing

Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center / 9 a.m.-4 p.m. / $165 / $150 HSU Students

443-4222 / hbac@humboldt.edu / Web site

BluEnglish

Blue Lake Casino Hotel / 9-1 a.m. / Free / 21+

Enjoy an evening of classic rock with hometown favorites BluEnglish!

877-252-2946 / Web site

Lanphere Dunes Restoration

Lanphere Dunes (HBNWR) / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Help restore the dune ecosystem at the Lanphere Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

444-1397 / jess@friendsofthedunes.org /

Caregiver Training

See Event Description / 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Redwood Caregiver Resource Center (RCRC), in partnership with Adult Day Health and Alzheimer’s Services of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, is offering a day-long workshop taught by RCRC Family Consultant Alexis Glidewell.

The Birds and Bees Educational Series

Humboldt Botanical Garden / 10 a.m.-noon

Humboldt Botanical Garden’s butterfly house is a pilot project that began in May of 2017 to determine if such a thing is feasible for the Garden’s future.

442-5139 / ashleymobley@hbgf.org / Web site

Where's Waldo in July

See Event Description / 10 a.m.-6 p.m. / Free

This is the last weekend to find Waldo hiding in 28 fantastic independent businesses and one Humboldt County Library Branch in Arcata, California!

822-2834 / info@northtownbooks.com / Web site

Free Fitness & Dancing on the Boardwalk on Get Out & Play Day

See Event Description / 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Buck a Bag Book Sale

Eureka Main Library / 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. / Free

Discover non-fiction, vinyl, DVD’s, and CD’s in the meeting room and loads of mystery, romance, sci-fi and fiction titles in the garage area.

269-1995 / friends@eurekafrl.org / Web site

Fitness in the Park on Get Out and Play Day

Sequoia Park / 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Magic in the Park on Get Out and Play Day

Sequoia Park / 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Free Rides on Speeder in Old Town on Get Out and Play Day

Old Town Eureka / noon-3 p.m.

Win San Francisco Giant’s Tickets at GET OUT & PLAY DAY!

See Event Description / noon-5 p.m.

Play on the Bay at Get Out and Play Day

See Event Description / noon-2 p.m.

Free Old Town Guided Historic Walking Tours on #gopd2017

Clarke Historical Museum / 12:45 p.m.-4 p.m.

Free Live Theater in the Park on Get Out and Play Day

See Event Description / 1-2:30 p.m.

Kids Ride Free on Madaket Tours on Get Out and Play Day

See Event Description / 1-5 p.m.

DJ J Dub

Six Rivers Brewery / 2-7 p.m. / Free

Local DJ, DJ J Dub will be spinning records from his personal vinyl collection.

839-7580 / musicbooking@sixriversbrewery.com / Web site

FREE! Family Olympics - Part of Get Out and Play Day

See Event Description / 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Letters From Baghdad

The Miniplex at Richards' Goat Tavern / 4 p.m. / $8 / $6.50 before 5 PM / 21+

Narrated and produced by Oscar winning actress Tilda Swinton, "Letters from Baghdad" tells the story of adventurer, diplomat, and British spy Gertrude Bell, who helped shape the destiny of the Middle East afer World War I in ways that still reverberate today.

630-5000 / Web site

Free Community BBQ, Concert and Movie on Get Out and Play Day

See Event Description / 4:30-10:30 p.m.

The Mojo Rockers

Mad River Brewery Tasting Room / 6-8:30 p.m. / Free

Rock and blues.

668-4151 / music@madriverbrewing.com / Web site

The Little Hours

The Miniplex at Richards' Goat Tavern / 6 p.m. / $8 / $6.50 before 5 PM / 21+

"Based on a comic tale from Boccaccio's 14th century Italian masterpiece 'The Decameron,' the director of 'Life After Beth' and 'I Heart Huckabees' casts some of today's funniest comic actors."

630-5000 / Web site

Nana Grizol, Your Heart Breaks, Roman Candles

Outer Space / 7-10 p.m. / $6

Pop and Folk punk.

798-0812 / breakfastalldaycollective@gmail.com / Web site

Bow Legged Buzzard, Cats Meow, Little Bear

The Siren's Song Tavern / 8 p.m. / Free / 21+

Bands, bands, bands.

442-8778 / thesirenssongtavern@gmail.com / Web site

Free Movie in the Park on Get Out and Play Day

See Event Description / 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Movies Under the Mural: Ghostbusters (2016)

Los Bagels, Arcata / 8:45 p.m. / Free

Bring your family, friends, blankets, and chairs. We'll provide the movie and popcorn.

822-3483 / info@losbagels.com / Web site

Karaoke

Little Red Lion / 9 p.m. / 21+

How could this be a bad idea?

Rockstar Karaoke

Brass Rail Bar / 9 p.m.

This is the most hardcore karaoke in Humboldt.

923-3188 /

Doug Fir & the 2x4s

Bear River Casino Resort / 9 p.m. / 21+

Multigenerational rock and roll band comprised of fathers and sons playing classic rock and beyond.

733-9644 / Web site

Doug Fir & The 2x4s

Bear River Casino Resort / 9 p.m.-1 a.m. / Free / 21+

Multigenerational rock and roll band comprised of fathers and sons playing classic rock and beyond.

733-9644 / Web site

Dancehall Reggae Night

The Jam / 9:30 p.m. / 21+

With DJ Noble Tobal and Guests.

822-5266 / Web site

Dancehall Reggae Night

The Jam / 9:30 p.m. / 21+

With DJ Noble Tobal and guests.

822-5266 / Web site

MOVIES

Broadway Cinema
Mill Creek Cinema
Minor Theatre