The Midwest’s biggest weed festival is back and bigger than ever. The Legacy Cup is a dynamic celebration of all things cannabis, combining competition, consumption, and culture for a jam-packed day of fun. Taking place September 27th at Surly Field in Minneapolis, the event has become a must-attend for plant fans across the region.
Now in its sixth year, the Legacy Cup has grown from a few hundred attendees to over 12,000 in 2024. Organizers expect the number to grow even higher as Minnesota celebrates the launch of its long-awaited adult-use market. There are also big-name acts like Warren G, Killer Mike, and Afroman generating quite a buzz.
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Josh Wilken-Simon, founder of the Legacy Cup, told GreenState the historic event could be even more momentous this time around, as it is the recipient of the state’s very first cannabis event license. This will permit sales of adult-use cannabis products, not just sampling.
“My life’s work will have all led to this incredible moment I envisioned over 15 years ago: Minnesotans coming together for a day to celebrate an incredible plant, listen to music, consume with new and old friends, and be able to purchase safe, tested cannabis legally,” Wilken-Simon shared.
The entrepreneur is also celebrating the fact that his flagship Legacy Cannabis shop in Duluth is among the first to begin adult-use cannabis sales this week. Wilken-Simon began his cannabis journey in 2009, selling his cousin’s glass pipes at festivals. He opened his first store in 2010, selling the state’s finest, locally made glassware. In 2019, the first Legacy Cup was launched and has grown exponentially since.
In addition to sampling and buying cannabis products, Legacy Cup attendees will have plenty of plant-centric activities to enjoy. Between sets on the main stage, folks can peruse dozens of vendor booths, try their luck in the ganja games (think biggest bong rip or fastest joint rolled), or grab a munchies-worthy snack. There will also be live glassblowing, a skate ramp, a car show, an artist bazaar, and of course, the Legacy Cup awards.
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This year’s competition includes several categories. Commercially available goods, like hemp gummies, are judged by leading experts. The homegrown contest will see an Ego Clash-style judging sesh, where competitors try each other’s bud or hash to see whose is top shelf.
While this year’s event will likely be the hypest ever, Wilken-Simon believes it’s the culmination of years of work that is the true reason to celebrate. He encourages attendees to support their fellow Midwesterners and cherish the fact that they can all be together.
“So many of us fought so hard in our own community and at the legislature to craft a legal cannabis market in Minnesota that prioritizes equity and craft operators,” Wilken-Simon said. “Time will tell how successful we were, but if you’re able to come out to the Legacy Cup, you will see a ton of small Minnesota businesses.”
The Legacy Cup goes from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and tickets are available now. General admission passes are a cool $25, a relative steal for the level of entertainment guests will enjoy. They’ll also be part of history.
