Organizers of the Soaring Eagle Arts, Beats and Eats festival in the Detroit area have announced key highlights for this year's four-day event over Labor Day weekend, including the return of the House of Dank cannabis sales and consumption area.
This year, the festival marks the beginning of a collaboration between House of Dank and Baker College, launching an educational certificate program aimed at preparing students for employment in the legal cannabis industry.
House of Dank and the Arts, Beats and Eats festival, held in Royal Oak, Oakland County, gained national attention last year for introducing cannabis sales and consumption at the event.
Mike DiLaura, Chief Corporate Operations Officer and General Counsel for House of Dank, emphasized the uniqueness of this initiative. "Nobody has done anything like this across the country," DiLaura stated. He noted that this year's secure cannabis area would also host some celebrities.
At a recent press conference in Royal Oak, DiLaura announced, "We will work with Baker College on their new cannabis programs. There are all sorts of jobs up and down this industry."
The cannabis industry, encompassing both recreational and medical sectors, is valued at several billion dollars.
Kelley Suggs, Public Relations Manager for Baker College, which has a campus on South Lafayette, revealed that the college will offer three certificate programs in cannabis retail, cultivation, and product development. "As the cannabis industry continues growing at an unprecedented rate, the demand for skilled professionals is higher than ever," Suggs said. She highlighted that the partnership with House of Dank aims to bridge the gap between education and employment.
Event producer Jon Witz underscored the significance of the city- and state-approved cannabis area, noting it was the first of its kind at such a large-scale event. "You could not smell the cannabis smoke," Witz explained. "People who wanted to enjoy the product could, and those who didn't, didn't know it was there." Witz praised House of Dank for bringing "one of the most creative activations" to the festival.
Witz also shared a personal testament to cannabis use, explaining that he opted for cannabis over prescription narcotic painkillers following a serious bicycling accident last year, which resulted in 10 broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and other injuries.
The festival will announce its headlining musical acts in late July, with Witz adding that the event will feature 150 local bands.
Last year, the festival attracted 345,000 attendees and raised over $386,000 for local charitable organizations. David Woodward, Chairman of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and a Royal Oak resident, acknowledged the festival's positive impact. "The county has been a steadfast supporter of Arts, Beats and Eats," he said. "Arts, Beats and Eats has generated $7.3 million for community and charitable groups since it began."
While Witz did not reveal the headlining acts for this year's festival, he hinted cryptically during a TV interview that one of the headliners "resembles what I'm doing now," while looking into the camera.
The Vlasic Classic Charity Golf mixer recently celebrated its second annual event in Missouri, hosted by Vlasic Labs. This year's 18-hole tournament saw participation from 27 teams and over 100 attendees, including advocates and legislators from Missouri and beyond. The event, held at the Old Kinderhook Golf Club in the Lake of the Ozarks, successfully raised $43,000 for the Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding individuals imprisoned for cannabis-related offenses. These funds will support legal efforts, reentry programs, and advocacy aimed at reintegrating these individuals into society.
Following the Missouri tournament's success, Vlasic Classic has announced its next event, which will take place at St. John's Resort in Michigan from August 16-18. "As Vlasic Labs prepares for the Michigan Vlasic Classic, the company is committed to continuing its tradition of philanthropy and community support," the company stated. The upcoming event aims to build on the momentum of the Missouri outing, further supporting the Last Prisoner Project and highlighting the shared values of the Vlasic family and their partners.
Vlasic Labs, known for its hemp-based wellness products including tinctures, topicals, and gummies, was co-founded in 2019 by Rick Vlasic and his son Willy. The brand continues the Vlasic family legacy of honest branding and community involvement. The family's history of philanthropy dates back to before World War II when Joseph Vlasic revolutionized milk delivery in the Midwest. His son Robert later established the iconic Vlasic Pickles brand and donated significant funds to institutions such as the Henry Ford Health System, the Michigan Humane Society, and the University of Michigan.
Rick Vlasic has expanded the family's innovative spirit into the cannabis wellness industry, driven by the same principles of quality, consistency, and value that made Vlasic Pickles a household name. The upcoming Michigan Vlasic Classic is anticipated to further these values, combining community engagement with philanthropic efforts.
Elevated Exotics, a cannabis dispensary in the Upper Peninsula, is celebrating its two-year anniversary this Saturday, along with plans for further expansion.
The dispensary, which opened its first store in Republic on June 23rd, 2021, is marking the occasion with a celebration. Owner Nilsson Davis explained the significance of this milestone and the reason for the event.
"Our business continues to grow," Davis stated. "We opened a location in Escanaba last April, and we have plans for new stores in Marquette and New Buffalo."
Davis highlighted the importance of the dispensary's mission, stating, "It kind of goes back to the patients and the medical side of things. We feel that retail is the best way to reach patients and those in need of the highest quality product. We saw a significant demand here in the U.P. for top-tier cannabis."
The anniversary celebration will take place at The Delft in Escanaba, and attendees must be 21 or older. An RSVP is required due to limited space at the venue.
"We have a mass occupancy limit, and spots are filling up quickly," Davis noted. Interested individuals can reserve their spot by following the provided link.
In addition to the anniversary event, Elevated Exotics has several other upcoming activities, including its 3rd annual Summer's End Smokeout music festival from August 8th through 11th. This year, the festival will feature cultivator contests for the first time.
butter is set to host "Cannabis and Canines," a dog adoption and fundraiser event in collaboration with Rebel Dogs Detroit. The event will take place on Saturday, June 1st, from 11 AM to 3 PM at butter Berkley. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet adoptable dogs and enjoy special offers throughout the day.
Rebel Dogs Detroit is a no-kill rescue organization dedicated to providing shelter for abandoned and abused dogs throughout the Detroit metro area. The group also offers support and resources for both prospective and current pet owners, focusing on rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming for dogs in need.
Event attendees who find their perfect pet can submit adoption applications on-site. Successful adopters will receive a curated adoption basket, which includes butter apparel, pet accessories, gifts from local businesses, and exclusive offers for cannabis products suitable for both pets and humans from Vlasic Labs and Wyld.
For those not ready to adopt, there are other ways to contribute. Participants can sign up for volunteer opportunities with Rebel Dogs Detroit and receive exclusive offers from butter and its partner brands. The event will also feature a raffle fundraiser with prizes from local businesses, with all proceeds going to Rebel Dogs Detroit.
butter will be accepting donations of new or gently-used items from Rebel Dogs' wishlist, which includes puppy and adult dog food, toys, treats, and more.
butter is committed to building a better world through social equity and investing in local initiatives. By supporting organizations like Rebel Dogs Detroit, butter aims to foster stronger communities.
The Detroit Cannabis Project (DCP) is hosting the Kalamazoo Cannabis Community Event, a gathering aimed at celebrating cannabis and fostering inclusivity within the industry. This event is part of the Cannabis Business Courses for Social Equity collection and will take place on Tuesday, July 16th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Kalamazoo Public Library - Central Library, located at 315 South Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
This event promises an evening filled with networking, insightful discussions, and collaborative opportunities. Designed to empower attendees, it provides a platform for voices from diverse backgrounds to be heard and valued. The focus is on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the cannabis sector.
The Kalamazoo Cannabis Community Event is more than just a networking opportunity; it is a call to action for those who believe in the power of diversity and inclusion. By attending, participants can contribute to the ongoing effort to create a cannabis industry that reflects the rich diversity of our society. This event is an opportunity to be part of a movement towards a more inclusive and equitable cannabis industry.
Join the Detroit Cannabis Project on July 16 for an evening dedicated to building bridges, creating opportunities, and driving positive change within the cannabis community. Your presence and participation can make a significant impact. We look forward to seeing you there!
The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association (MiCIA) invites members and industry stakeholders to the 2024 MiCIA Summer Annual Conference and Chronic Cup Championship, set to take place from August 7th-9th at the picturesque Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, Michigan. This event promises to offer invaluable insights into the future of Michigan's burgeoning cannabis industry, combined with ample networking opportunities amidst the scenic beauty of Northern Michigan.
Note: Attendance at any conference events requires the purchase of general admission tickets. This is a MiCIA members-only event. For membership details, sponsorship opportunities, or room reservations, please visit the MiCIA website.
The MiCIA Summer Annual Conference is a significant event for anyone involved in Michigan's cannabis industry. It features a mix of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and leisure activities. Attendees can expect to:
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