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CBS News
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Despite official cancellation, 4/20 celebrants still gather on Hippie Hill
San Francisco's iconic Hippie Hill once again drew cannabis enthusiasts on 4/20, despite the official celebration being canceled for the second consecutive year due to funding issues. Traditionally, a massive gathering point for thousands of marijuana users marking the unofficial "high holiday," this year's event was noticeably smaller in scale. Organizers were unable to secure enough funding to host the large-scale celebration in Golden Gate Park, as the city grapples with a significant budget deficit. Still, that didn't stop locals and visitors from celebrating in their own way—lighting up, lounging, and enjoying the spring weather on Hippie Hill. "Every day is 4/20 because I smoke marijuana every day," said Mark Saverioni, a longtime attendee and vocal advocate of a more laid-back celebration. The crowd, a mix of young and old, passed around joints and soaked up the relaxed, festival-like atmosphere. "It makes me happy to see everybody together and enjoying themselves," said a 4/20 celebrant who went by the name Calvin. Many of the "OGs," like Saverioni, said they actually preferred the unofficial version of the gathering. He's been coming to 4/20 events at Golden Gate Park for years, when the turnout would reach into the tens of thousands, filling Robin Williams Meadow and Hippie Hill. "There's not so many people where you're stepping over people just to get by," Saverioni reflected. "I mean, there's pros and cons to it. I like the popularity. But less is more." He also praised the more organic vibe of this year's scene—no fences, no gates, and no major corporate presence. "In the past, I avoided it because there were so many people. I would go down to the beach on 4/20," he added. Event organizers are already looking ahead to next year, hopeful that more sponsors and donations will allow them to bring the full-scale event back. Traditionally, the official 4/20 celebration has been restricted to adults 21 and over. Some of the younger attendees weren't too upset by the cancellation. "For now, we prefer this way so we can just come here and chill. Hopefully, maybe soon, there can be events," said a 20-year-old woman who declined to give her name. In lieu of the official 4/20 event, the City of San Francisco partnered with Volo Sports to host free recreational activities at Robin Williams Meadow, welcoming cannabis users to join in peacefully. "It's amazing the fact that we're able to make this work and co-exist with another community that loves to come here and celebrate a different activity," said Luis Rodriguez, managing director of Volo Sports. Saverioni also praised the city's handling of crowd logistics. "A lot of this has to do with crowd control. They know what they're doing. They've blocked off the streets the way they're supposed to so they can siphon the way the crowds come and go," he said. This year's turnout was slightly higher than last year's, possibly due to the rare calendar overlap with Easter Sunday. Just a few hundred yards away from the haze of Hippie Hill, families gathered at nearby playgrounds for birthday parties and Easter egg hunts. Saverioni called it a quintessential scene of San Francisco life, a perfect snapshot of love and harmony. "It just means a lot of fun. It means a way to celebrate life in general," Saverioni said.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
San Francisco's 420 Hippie Hill event not happening for 2nd straight year
The Brief San Francisco's 4/20 Hippie Hill fest is not happening, for the second consecutive year. Instead, a field day will be held at Golden Gate Park's Robin Williams Meadow and Hippie Hill, according to the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. Organizers of the 4/20 fest had to cancel last year's event due to financial reasons. SAN FRANCISCO - For the second straight year, San Francisco's 4/20 Hippie Hill celebration is not happening. What we know Instead, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department announced that a "Peace, Love, and Volo" field day will take place on April 20 at Golden Gate Park's Robin Williams Meadow and Hippie Hill. The event is hosted by Volo Sports, a social sports club that organized a similar field day at the same location last year after Hippie Hill organizers canceled their event. What they're saying "The sports event's debut in 2024 marked a shift from the traditional cannabis culture celebration that previously took place in the park on that day," the parks and recreation department said. Dig deeper On 4/20, marijuana culture's "high holiday," cannabis enthusiasts typically gathered in large groups to celebrate. San Francisco's Hippie Hill event was one of the largest such gatherings, attracting thousands. Festival organizers, however, canceled last year's event, citing city budget cuts and a lack of sponsorships. "We have been unable to secure enough financial sponsorship to get everything required for a safe, clean, city & state-compliant event," the group on social media at the time, promising to return the following year. That return will not be happening, at least not at Hippie Hill. Organizers have not yet responded to KTVU's request for comment on future plans or whether other 4/20-related events are scheduled this year. The Source The San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department
