MARDI GRASS 2002 PROGRESS REPORT

PEACE - POT FOR PEACE, PEACE FOR POT has emerged for this year's theme for MardiGrass. It's about time!

This year we plan to enclose most of the event in Peace Park.

Cost of Entry per person;
$20 for a Weekend Pass
$ 5 for a Friday Night
$ 10 for Saturday
$ 10 for Sunday

We need people to buy tickets. Last year's event lost about $20,000 and it's taken most of the year since to pay it off. We need lots of helpers and creative committed support. If you can't handle $20, check into the Hemp Embassy volunteer base and work your way in.

Friday 3rd May, 2002
The Kombi Konvoy is coming in on Friday evening again, as it once did. Leaves Byron Bay Beach Hotel 4pm Friday May 3, Lismore 5.30pm and arrives in Nimbin about an hour later for the Opening Ceremony. This will be followed by the Harvest Festival Ball, all in Peace Park.

Saturday 4th May, 2002
Saturday is filled with talks, market exhibits, the Hemp Olympix heats, music, poetry, art and general cannabis culture. Saturday night is the Pickers' Ball in Peace Park with local star Diana Ah Naid again appearing.

Sunday 5th May, 2002
Sunday begins with more discussion, another pot poetry breakfast, more Olympix heats and the build up to the march against the stupid drug laws. The Big Parade and Rally heads off at 1pm followed by the Olympix finals and the annual Cannabis Cup.

All the other usual events are on, so get your pot art, poetry, pot stories and so on together. There will be a Ganja Faery dance and prop making workshop on the Saturday before and the Saturday of the MardiGrass.

This is our tenth MardiGrass and although PEACE is the major theme, there will be lots of discussion and debate focussed on using cannabis wisely. There are increasing public health concerns about using the magic herb and we will endeavour to address some of them.

The big change this year is the $20 entry ticket. Camping and accommodation are extra and available at;

Nimbin Caravan Park (02)6689 1402
Nimbin Rox Hostel (02)6689 0022
Nimbin Hotel and Backpackers (02)6689 1246
Grey Gums Guesthouse (02)6689 1713
Grannys Farm Backpackers (02)6689 1333
Rainbow Retreat Backpackers (02)6689 1262
Abode of Peace Motel (02)6689 1420

General MardiGrass enquiries phone/fax the Hemp Embassy (02) 6689 1842. Stalls need to booked in now as we have a limit this year, same for any special events, displays, cannabis expertise etc.