I’m not up on all of the “lingo”, but apparently 420 has to do with cannibas (“pot”) culture. Because highway 420 ends in Niagara Falls, the city often ends up with a “sit-in” or something similar on April 20 (4/20 day). Anyway, one of my Google alerts brought to my attention a writeup from the 420 Magazine site:
On Canabian Day, Niagara Falls Potheads peacefully did just that by pleasantly protesting on the corner of Canada’s busiest tourist corner Falls View Ave. and Clifton Hill drawing gawks from tourists, but also participants. Besides handing out literature, organizers smoked up brave souls who couldn’t believe the audacity of the group to break the law.
“How are you guys doing this?” A perplexed but friendly fellow, who had heard me work the megaphone inviting anyone and everyone to “Meet the Potheads. We’re a friendly bunch” wanted to know.
“We’re doing it, man.” I replied, observing the lone copper who had taken up position across the street.
“Want to smoke a joint?” my hippie comrade asked the disbelieving American.
Talk about a weird and crazy vacation. Imagine returning home from traveling aboard, and we’re talking Canada, a fairly accessible country for the bolder American and telling friends. “I saw the Falls, but walking back to the hotel these Canadians smoked me.”