Writer: Henry Fisher

NY Harvest Festival and Freedom Fair returns for its 26th year of the Celebration of Cannabis Culture in Trumansburg, NY, with dates ranging from Oct. 6 to Oct. 9. Headlining the event on Friday, Oct. 6 is the band Dogs In A Pile, returning to the festival key in their rise.

Originally, NY Harvest Fest was celebrated more as a “protestival,” but the recent legalization of cannabis has turned the festival into a celebration of cannabis culture. The festival is presented by Damn Sam, a pro-freedom activist group founded in Beacon, NY. The money raised at Harvest Fest and other Damn Sam events goes on to help fund certain organizations, mostly those that focus on cannabis policy and the War on Drugs.

The event will hold the longest running cannabis competition in America, where, should they choose, anyone over 21 can be a judge for the 28th annual Cannabis Cup on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 4:20 p.m..

“NY Harvest Fest is a celebration of our cannabis culture. A place where the culture could always feel free, despite prohibition. Now that cannabis is legal and its potential is being realized, we are excited to bring this event, this culture, back into the light” said Robert Robinson, founder of NY Harvest Fest.

On the music side of things, Friday, Oct. 6 will have two sets of Dogs In A Pile, a rising funk, jazz, rock, and psychedelia fusion quintet

Saturday, Oct. 7 will feature many New York native bands, with bands such as Sophistafunk, The Garcia Project, Gratefully Yours and special guest Immortal Technique.

Other performances include: The Tyler Neal Band, Oct. 8’s headliner; Tony Vacca & World Rhythms; EARTH; The Cosmic Charlies; Friends of the Family; and more. Click here to learn more about this year’s festival.