HEMP FEST TO RETURN TO QUAD

On Saturday, University of Rhode Island Students for Sensible Drug Policy will sponsor the sixth annual Day for HOPE Hemp Fest on the Quadrangle from 11 a.m.  to 11 p.m.

The event, which will be held rain or shine, is free of charge.

Micah Daigle, president of SSDP, said the goal of Hemp Fest is to raise awareness about the group and the fairness of the U.S.  government's domestic drug policy.

Headlining the musical portion of the event is Zox, a Providence-based band that "successfully lac[es] the searing melodies of classical violin into high-energy reggae-infused rock," according to the band's Web site.  Zox will take the stage at 9:30 p.m., Daigle said.

Other bands scheduled to play include Raisin Hill, Dead Cat Bounce, the Black Rebels, Fungus Amungus, Loose Leaf and Contraband.

"It's a pretty good mix," Daigle said, "everything from jazz to rap to jam bands to reggae."

A variety of vendors will be selling food and beverages, including Kingston's International Pockets, the Alternative Food Cooperative of Wakefield, Ronzio Pizza and the Garden Grill Cafe of Pawtucket.  Individuals and businesses will also be selling jewelry, tie-dyed T-shirts, clothing and tapestries, Daigle said.

To raise money for next year's event, SSDP will be taking donations and plans to sell T-shirts and jewelry.  During the day, SSDP will be registering people to vote and collecting signatures for petitions.  A number of information booths will be set up to provide the public with information on the legislation individual drug and the U.S.  war on drugs.

Daigle said SSDP has spent just under $10,000 for Hemp Fest.  The URI Student Senate granted most of the funding for the event, he said.

Hemp Fest will be held rain or shine.  In the event of wet weather, Daigle said the event will be held in Edwards Hall Auditorium.  With sunny weather, the auditorium will be used to show a film on defending individual rights in the event of a police encounter.

Last year's Hemp Fest, which was held in Edwards because of weather, only attracted about 600 people, Daigle said.  However, this year the group expects somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 people to attend.

On-campus parking will be available to the public in the Fine Arts Center parking lot, Daigle said, while designated public restrooms for the event are located in Edwards and the Memorial Union.

Campus police will also patrol the perimeter of the Quad to ensure there is no violent activity, Daigle said.

"In the six years we've had it [Hemp Fest], there have been no arrests or problems with people abusing substances or disturbing the peace," he said.  "It's always been a peaceful event."