The Fire Station Hosts Successful ‘Camp Cannabis’ Festival

October 17, 2022
Events, Festivals, Upper Michigan

MARQUETTE, MICH. – Thousands of people gathered for The Fire Station’s inaugural Camp Cannabis music festival at Tourist Park in Marquette, Michigan on October 7 and 8, 2022. The first-of-its kind event offered something for everyone, with several different genres of music on the festival’s lineup, more than a dozen cannabis education sessions, and over 50 unique vendors onsite. The event boldly allowed for the consumption of cannabis or alcohol — something unique to many other cannabis consumption events, and it was the first licensed consumption event in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Event guests could enjoy a full spectrum of marijuana products on nearly every inch of the festival’s 40 acres, with the exception of two designated beer gardens near the event’s main stages.

The event was a successful music festival that not only delivered on top-notch entertainment and experiences, but that also delivered in a big way on lessening the stigma surrounding cannabis.

“We’re so pleased with how the event turned out. To have over 2,000 people show up for a first year festival is really remarkable, and the feedback we’ve received following the event has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Stosh Wasik and Logan Stauber, The Fire Station CEOs

Camp Cannabis is one of the first marijuana consumption events in the state that combined weed, alcohol, education and entertainment – and the event went off without a hitch. Festival goers were positive and respectful in general, with no altercations or major injuries during the event.

The festival was held at the City of Marquette‘s Tourist Park Campground, a 40 acre park on the northern edge of the city. At the massive venue, attendees could enjoy cannabis almost anywhere on the festival’s grounds, with the exception of two designated areas. Strategically placed beer gardens at each of the festival stages created an atmosphere for those who wanted to enjoy the festivities with an alcoholic beverage rather than cannabis. These spaces were important to the overall goals of the event, as it was intended to be a welcoming space for all to learn about and celebrate cannabis while experiencing high-quality entertainment.

“The Fire Station was so organized and diligent in their planning of this event,” added [CITY OFFICIAL]. “This was the first legal cannabis consumption event to happen within the city, and we are grateful for all the work TFS put in to make it a successful event for the community.”

city official TBD

Headlining the festival was Sublime with Rome, The Floozies, Asher Roth, Afroman and comedian Nimesh Patel. The talent lineup also featured over 40 different local and regional acts that performed across Camp’s three stages.

The festival was dreamed up shortly after The City of Marquette released its temporary marijuana events policy in fall of 2021. The team at The Fire Station worked closely with Double Trouble Entertainment on the event’s production and musical talent. DT was eager to show off their lighting, staging and production talents, while the TFS team took the planning a step further by incorporating cannabis into every facet of the event.

“We wanted to make a different kind of music festival - one that not only provided attendees with incredible entertainment, but that also provided immersive opportunities to learn about and destigmatize cannabis."

Stosh Wasik and Logan Stauber, The Fire Station CEOs

The festival direction team met weekly for 10 months leading up to the event to plan out the festival’s details. A group of 29 area coordinators who helped to run various portions of Camp Cannabis met monthly.

Cannabis education was at the heart of this first-time festival. 26 cannabis companies were in attendance at the event, sharing with attendees their variety of products and services.

Companies in attendance had the opportunity to present at The Pavilion, an area of Camp that served as an outdoor classroom. Over a dozen educational sessions were offered on topics such as cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system, and cannabis crime expungement.

The cannabis industry event sponsors had their products on sale in The Fire Station’s pop up store, located in the center of the event. Some companies such as Fluresh and ErrlKing / Superior Selections made custom Camp Cannabis products to be sold exclusively at the event.

A unique area of the event was Good Vibes Grove, a space that featured local vendors and artisans who shared their talents with festival goers. Guests participated in hands-on activities such as Puff and Paint, Chakra Cleansing, or t-shirt decorating along the edge of the Dead River Basin.

“We are so thankful for all of the support and enthusiasm we’ve received following the event. We aimed to make Camp Cannabis a memorable experience, and it's great knowing we delivered on that goal. We’re so proud to have had the opportunity to bring an event like this to the Upper Peninsula.”

Stosh Wasik and Logan Stauber, CEOs, The Fire Station Cannabis Co.