As the public health orders are lifting, there is a big question on everyone’s mind: What’s going on for 420 this year? April 20th is fast approaching and we are actually able to celebrate! While many Canadian cities like to party for 420, the festivities in Vancouver and Victoria are legendary. For those of you wondering, here’s a look at the party plans for 420 in Vancouver and Victoria; plus, any need-to-know details concerning public health orders.
The Current State of BC’s Province Wide Restrictions
As of April 8th, 2022, The province-wide restrictions surrounding events and covid-19 are basically non-existent. There are no capacity limits, mask mandates, and proof of vaccination is not required. Individual businesses and event organizers can choose to continue to require proof of vaccination but it’s no longer mandatory. Wearing masks is a personal choice unless it is in a healthcare setting. So far, none of the planned events for 420 are requiring proof of vaccination.
For more information, visit the provincial government website.
Vancouver
Here’s a throwback to 420 Vancouver 2018!
Sunset Beach
NO PARTY – Beach Closed
Usually, Vancouver celebrates 420 at Sunset Beach. However, this will not be the case and you can blame the barge. On November 15, 2021, a barge washed ashore and has been stuck on Sunset Beach ever since. Unfortunately, efforts to refloat the beast have failed and the barge can only be removed piece by piece. How long that will take is anyone’s guess. As a response to the situation, the City of Vancouver showed strong leadership and took action… they renamed the beach. The company tasked with the removal needs to use the whole beach as a staging area and it looks like the process has begun. In support of these efforts, the City of Vancouver has temporarily closed Barge Chilling Beach.
420 Celebration at The Vancouver Art Gallery
The 12pm – 10pm
Vancouver‘s 420 celebrations are legendary and have been going on for over two decades. This year, the party is back in full swing. Collective Event Management is tasked with putting it on and Dusk2Dawn Productions will be setting up the stage. The founder of the Cannabis Substitution Program, Neil Magnuson will MC the event; no music headliners have been announced. There will be an open-air market and booth sales are selling out fast. This year, event organizers are expecting a crowd of over 20,000 stoners.
Here is an event map to give you an idea of what to expect.
The event will be followed by an afterparty at an undisclosed location. This will take place from 10 pm to 6 am and all are welcome.
Remeber when Cypress Hill came to 420 Vancouver?
Victoria
420 Celebration at The BC Legislature
Music from 2pm – 6pm
The annual 420 Celebrations are a party with a purpose and you can feel it when you go to Victoria. It takes place on the front lawn of the BC legislature building and vending is technically not allowed. As a result, this celebration is less of a market and all about having a good time. The event has been organized by The Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club and it will serve as a fundraiser for an upcoming legal battle. In January of 2022, the VCBC received a $6.5 million dollar fine from the Community Safety Unit.
Here is what they had to say about this upcoming 420:
“We will be dancing and toking together to the musical stylings of Submersive Studios from 2 to 6 pm, with some booty shaking bass powered by PK Sound. We will have speakers, prizes, and performers to fill the afternoon with magic and joy to commemorate this special day. Join us on Wednesday, April 20th for an afternoon of old-school cannabis protests, some consciousness-raising about the pitfalls of the legal industry, to raise some funds for the VCBC legal battle, and to join together with our canna fam once more to celebrate this important day.”
If you’re in Victoria or Vancouver, get ready to party because this 420 is setting up to be a very good time. No matter what you are up to this year, here’s hoping that you have a Happy 420!