Recently, Joey Pintozzi, the President of Besa Hospitality Group (BHG) and Vice President Bobby Lessany teamed up with CEO Jack Mitchell to develop a multifaceted entertainment venue with the Missouri River called the Smokey River Entertainment District. They will be kicking off with their first event EVER- the Smokey River 420 Festival. Which, for obvious reasons, will be held on April 20th.
After the pandemic, Pintozzi had returned to his hometown of Kansas City and joined the BesaMe Wellness cannabis retail team before he helped launch BHG. Formerly, he was the owner of the KC venue, The Static Bar. Joey spent over fifteen years operating, marketing and promoting bars and nightclubs in Las Vegas before working at Hard Rock International in South Africa. Now he’s overseeing the development of a one-of-a-kind multipurpose entertainment complex.
An artistic rendering of the planned Smokey River Entertainment District. | Courtesy of BesaMe Wellness/Joey Pintozzi.
Smokey River Entertainment District
Featuring an outdoor amphitheater, The Smokey River Entertainment District also boasts two indoor clubs, and even music halls designated for cannabis consumption, dining, and drinking. They are located right off 291 Highway in River Bend, MO, just east of downtown Kansas City. This development will showcase music, artwork, cuisine, and more so people can enjoy their time however they like!
Just like alcohol and tobacco, you’re going to have designated areas where you can legally consume and be yourself, where you can have that normalization,” said Pintozzi about the new venue space. “It’s not an entertainment district that has legal cannabis. If you don’t want to be around it, you don’t have to be around it. There will be entertainment for all to enjoy.”
“You can bring the family out if you want. They don’t have to be around cannabis. But those who want to consume, will have the freedom to do so. We’re going have a very safe, responsible area that features all these options for people.”
420 Festival
The Smokey River 420 Festival will take advantage of every opportunity that this venue has to offer. There will be an entire cannabis consumption village with a cannabis delivery drop-off zone for festival attendees to have their goods sent to. An astounding lineup of artists will help celebrate the opening of the venue; Wiz Khalifa, Joey Bada$$, Berner, Smoke DZA, and Chevy Woods will take the stage. All sorts of ticket options and VIP packages are available on their website.
By 2024, The Smokey River Entertainment District plans to add an indoor music hall and frequent Riverwalk events with food, water, outdoor art, and music events. This will also include other accommodations for families, such as a skate park, playground, and potentially an Esports lounge.
Other events currently in the works include the Fourth of July festival honoring Veterans and an end-of-summer festival which has yet to be announced.
Follow The Smokey River Entertainment District’s socials above to see what else they have stored!
Facebook | Instagram | Website
