Vancouver’s annual 4/20 celebration to take place virtually this year

Last month, organizers were forced to cancel Vancouver’s 4/20 event in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The annual celebration typically takes place on Sunset Beach and drew in 150,000 attendees in 2019. This year, however, participants are invited to celebrate virtually, as to encourage physical distancing and flattening the curve.

“In an effort to support and abide by these health initiatives, the decision was made to cancel this year’s 4/20 Vancouver protest and celebration at Sunset Beach,” reads the 4/20 Vancouver website.

“To acknowledge the unique and rich culture of cannabis worldwide on this iconic day, Vancouver’s Studio 710, in collaboration with Pot TV, Cannabis Life Network, and supported by 420 Vancouver, will take the celebration online.”

• See also: 
  • 420 Vancouver is cancelled this year in response to coronavirus pandemic
  • 2020 Vancouver Sun Run cancelled over coronavirus pandemic
  • 100,000 people expected to attend 4/20 Vancouver at Sunset Beach

The event will begin April 20, “just before High Noon,” which is 11:50 am PST, and is scheduled to continue until participants “celebrate all the 4/20s across Canada.”

According to the website, the celebration will feature several cannabis activists as well as “music and clips” from the event’s 26-year history.

Vancouver’s 4/20 began in 1995 at Victory Square. The rally evolved into a bigger protest at the Vancouver Art Gallery in the centre of the city before moving to Sunset Beach park in 2016. Last year was also the first celebration that took place following Canada’s new cannabis laws.