A cloud of smoke loomed over a mellow crowd at Civic Center downtown Saturday as Wiz Khalifa stepped on stage at Denver’s 420 Rally.
, which kicked off at 10 a.m. and ended at 10 p.m., featured free performances from Lil Wayne and Khalifa. Organizers expected more than 100,000 people to flock to the park, where about 250 vendors set up shop to promote all things cannabis. Official attendance numbers were unavailable Saturday night.
“I wanted to come here because people come from all around the world who are committed to liberating marijuana,” said Patrick Bettis, who drove from Illinois to promote his business, Liberation Leaf. “We’re all coming together because of one thing — weed and being able to consume freely being that thing.”
for April 16, but organizers said snowy weather and “circumstances beyond our control” led them to reschedule.
Organizer Miguel Lopez, who originally insisted that the show would go on rain or shine, said postponing it would allow for a “bigger and better show” on a nicer day.
“I wasn’t going to come today,” said Naomi Rotondo, a 25-year-old from Denver. “After it was canceled, I was over it. But I’m still having a good time.”
When the original event was postponed, Ashlee Milheim, who paid $50 for a ticket that guaranteed a spot closer to the performers, said she was worried about getting a refund. “I’ve seen Wiz, like, three times,” she said. “But I was really worried we wouldn’t be able to see them after it was canceled.”
Kenora Dagon, a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder, was crossing an item off her Colorado bucket list by attending the rally.
“I feel like this is something you have to experience once if you live in Colorado,” she said.
Others showed up for the headliners.
“We came for Wiz,” said Sylvana Ross, 19. “I’m in college, so it’s great that this is a free event. It’s such a fun experience.”
Denver police, who maintained a large presence in the park Saturday, issued citations for public consumption of marijuana. While its recreational use was legalized in Colorado with the passage of Amendment 64 in 2012, consuming it in public remains illegal.
At 6 p.m. Saturday, officials didn’t know how many citations had been issued.
On April 20, when thousands gathered in Civic Center to celebrate, police issued about 60 citations for marijuana. At last year’s rally, which lasted two days, police issued more than 150 citations. In 2013, an argument between rival gang members led to the at the rally.
On Saturday, police checked bags and inspected each person entering the park.
“I was here for the gun shooting, and that was scary,” said Kylie Heath. “I was glad they were searching bags today.”
Katy Canada: 303-954-1043, kcanada@denverpost.com or