Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 Source: Portland Press Herald (ME) Copyright: 2001 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. Contact: http://www.portland.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/744 Author: Associated Press MARIJUANA ADVOCACY GROUP'S EVENT GOES SMOOTHLY, STARKS OFFICIALS SAY STARKS -- Freedom Fest, an annual music festival put on by the Maine Vocals marijuana advocacy group, went smoothly and didn't break any laws over the weekend, officials said. State police said there were complaints about loud noise and a report of a man being mugged. But the event didn't violate the town's ordinance requiring a permit for a gathering of 750 people or more for six hours or more, Starks Selectmen Chairwoman Cathy Cole said. ''He never triggered the ordinance,'' Cole said. ''I believe noise was the biggest factor.'' Freedom Fest is organized by the Maine Vocals to raise money to lobby for the legalization of marijuana. Now in its fourth year, the festival is a precursor to the larger and older Hempstock, which will be held Aug. 16-19 and is now in its 11th year. Law enforcement officials say they are now preparing for Hempstock, and will meet soon with state and town officials to organize. Earlier this month, the Starks Planning Board denied a mass-gathering permit for the event. Don Christen, founder of Maine Vocals, said Monday he plans to resubmit the application with more information, even though he claims the ordinance is a violation of people's right to assemble. At Freedom Fest, police responded to a report of a man in his late teens or early 20s being beaten and robbed of $60 to $80, state Police Sgt. James Urquhart said. The man's parents took him to a hospital, and he was treated and released, Urquhart said. Freedom Fest was held at a farm owned by Harry Brown, where Hempstock and Harvest Fest, slated for October, are also held. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens