Council approves Main Street closure for 7th annual 420 Festival with conditions

The Weed City Council approved an encroachment permit to close Main Street for the annual 420 Festival on April 20, 2025, authorizing street closure from Inz to Division from 06:00 to 22:00 with outside alcohol sales and consumption allowed only inside the event footprint and with cannabis use prohibited.

Council members and the event proponent discussed logistics for a stage and vendor layout after learning Heritage Plaza may still be under construction. The organizer said the event is the festival's seventh year and agreed to provide a Plan A (plaza stage) or Plan B (stage on Main Street) depending on plaza readiness. Council conditioned approval on receipt of an updated encroachment plan matching the approved layout and proof of insurance at least 15 days before the event.

The council also emphasized public-safety requirements: maintenance of a continuous emergency/fire lane (council noted a practical 16-foot clearance) and a layout that preserves emergency access. Staff advised that any substantial change to vendor layout would require an amended encroachment permit filed before the event.

One council member recused themself from the vote because they operate a Main Street business and had not signed off; the council proceeded with a vote of 2–1 to approve the permit with the stated contingencies. The motion requires city staff to accept the final site plan for the file and to confirm insurance naming the city as additional insured.

Next steps: the organizer will supply Plan A or B and the insurance certificate; staff will finalize the encroachment permit paperwork and notify emergency services of the approved layout.