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Stonerdom’s high holy holiday is coming up. But before April 20 hits, the Valley’s biggest weed-inspired block party — Buds-A-Palooza — will take over downtown Phoenix on Friday with live music, comedy, stoner movie screenings, glass blowing, product samples, food and more. There even will be a fingerboard skate-park, if that’s your thing.
Sponsored by Trulieve and run by local smoke shop Bud’s Glass Joint, this is the fourth annual Buds-A-Palooza, though the shop has been throwing smaller 420 parties longer than that. The festivities take place around the Bud’s Glass Joint shop on 5th Street and Garfield Street. Last year's event drew roughly 6,000 people.
Here’s what you need to know about what organizers call “the dopest 4/20 block party in Arizona.”
When is Buds-A-Palooza?
Buds-A-Palooza will be held April 11 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.Where is Buds-A-Palooza?
If you’re plugging the address into Google Maps, it’s 901 North 5th Street. The entrance to the party will be on Garfield Street and 4th Street — just south of Roosevelt Row.The event is outdoors, and the temperature is expected to reach 100 degrees. Bringing a hat, sporting shades and wearing sunscreen are all advised. There will be water refill stations at the event.
How to attend Buds-A-Palooza
Tickets are on sale on Eventbrite for $60. On the day of the event, ticket prices go up to $75.There is no reentry — once you leave, you can’t get back in with the same ticket.
You can't bring your own equipment to Buds-A-Palooza, but they'll have what you need to get high.
Benjamin Leatherman
Parking and transportation
The Buds-A-Palooza website recommends using ACE parking to secure a spot at 4th Street and McKinley Street or parking at the Arizona Center for $20-$30. Most street parking near the event is metered, with the exception of Portland Street, which tends to be packed for large events like First Friday.That makes ordering a ride or taking the light rail great choices. The nearest light rail station is at Roosevelt Street and Central Avenue.
Age requirement
Only people who are at least 21 years old will be allowed to attend — which means folks under 21 with medical cards are not allowed in. You’ll need a government-issued ID.Are animals allowed?
No pets are allowed, except for licensed service animals.Food and drink
Grub and beverages will be available for purchase at Buds-A-Palooza. Expect a wide variety of local vendors and trucks at the event for all your stoned munchie needs. Vendors will also be selling beer, seltzer and canned cocktails.Will there be music?
The rock and reggae acts scheduled to play the party’s main stage are Mike Love and the Full Circle, E.N Young and Imperial Sound, Tropidelic, Surfer Girl and Bikini Trill. You can read more about the artists on the block party’s website.On another, smaller stage, there will be performances from Attix, C. Leach, Dela Preme, Geome, Grackle Beats and more.
Are there other performances?
There will be three comedy shows running for an hour and a half from 3:45 p.m. to the end of the event. Each will feature different hosts and comedians, including Stoner Robb, Anwar Newton, Jerry Rider and Melody Morris. The middle show is billed as a “comedy battle.”What about movies?
For anyone who wants to sit down and watch a classic stoner comedy, there will be screenings of “Grandma’s Boy,” “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” and “Still Smokin” with Cheech and Chong.What brands will be there?
More than 60 vendors — selling cannabis, art and other products — will be at Buds-A-Palooza, including Elevate, Ponderosa Dispensary, OGeez!, Dutchiez, Nirvana, Baked Chemistry and Easy Tiger.Items to leave at home
Firearms, knives, weapons of any kind, large bags, glass, waterpipes, rigs and other cannabis paraphernalia are prohibited. “Don’t bring sand to the beach,” the event says on its website, so they should have what you need to get high.Outside food and beveragesare not allowed either, except for one sealed bottle of water. Small bags are allowed but will be checked by security.
