38 Oct 3rd-Oct 9th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Errl Cup Returns The biannual cannabis festival showcases Valley weed culture. BY TJ L’HEUREUX E rrl Cup, the Valley’s biggest biannual free cannabis festival, returns to Mesa on Oct. 5-6. Jay Neri and Jim Morrison co-founded Errl Cup in 2015 to connect the community of medical mari- juana users. The festival’s name comes from the slang term for cannabis oil. Now the Errl Cup has become the largest cannabis festival in Arizona, with opportunities for medical and recre- ational tokers to interact with vendors and growers. Neri told Phoenix New Times that Errl Cup attendance has grown from about 1,000 to 10,000 people, while the number of vendors has jumped from 20 to 100. In addition to snagging free weed, the Errl Cup attendees will have a chance to see the event’s famous contests like the Bong War, the Edible War, the Vape War and, of course, the Errl War. All are compe- titions in which participants partake in consuming THC through their method of choice. Awards are also given out to vendors with superior products. Here’s what to know about this year’s Errl Cup. HOW TO REGISTER Register online through theerrlcup.com. LOCATION This fall’s Errl Cup at the Thompson Event Center, 1901 N. Alma School Road in Mesa, just north of Loop 202. The venue also is known as Scarizona Scaregrounds during the Halloween season. The event is outdoors, so a hat and sunglasses are advised. TICKETS, HOURS AND ADMISSION The Errl Cup runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. For both days, the following people can enter at the following times: 9 a.m.: Attendees with VIP tickets ($75 per day) 10 a.m.: Medical marijuana cardholders (free entrance but SOLD OUT) 11 a.m.: Folks with fast passes ($25 per day) Noon: Everyone else (free entrance) AGE REQUIREMENTS Any adult who is at least 21 years old, or 18 with a medical marijuana card from states where it is legal, is allowed to attend. You’ll just need a government-issued ID and your medical pot card for medical marijuana patients. Children are not allowed. GETTING THERE AND PARKING Organizers encourage attendees to catch a ride to the event or take mass transit. Parking is available at the venue for $20 per vehicle, or for free at 1150 N. Alma School Road, where a shuttle will take people to and from Errl Cup. SECURITY Attendees must go through a metal detector and have their bags and back- packs searched. Any weapons, illegal substances, non-service dog pets, outside food and most beverages (except two sealed water bottles per person) are not allowed. CAN I BRING CANNABIS? The sale of outside products is not allowed, but attendees can bring outside cannabis in small amounts for personal use. That includes flower, sealed packages of edibles, vapes and even dab rigs. Neri said security will not allow people with lots of small bags of products into the festival, but vendors will certainly be handing out free products, which you can take home. FOOD Got a case of the munchies? Food trucks will be on-site. LIVE MUSIC An outdoor stage and a VIP area will host sets from local bands, rappers and comedians. | CANNABIS | Errl Cup was founded 2015 to connect medical marijuana patients and has now grown to roughly 10,000 attendees. (Photo by Kevin Hurley)
