The Excelsior neighborhood in San Francisco witnessed a vibrant revival of the ‘Summer of Love’ as crowds of Deadheads gathered for the 23rd annual Jerry Day on Saturday.
The event, a tribute to the legendary Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia, transformed the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park into a nostalgic celebration of the band’s profound impact on music and culture, all while remaining free to the public.
Hosted in honor of Garcia’s 83rd birthday, the event also celebrated his roots in the Excelsior at his childhood home on Harrington St. where a street was officially renamed Jerry Garcia Street just days before the event on August 1, with a commemorative sign unveiled to mark the occasion.
Tom Murphy, the founder and organizer of Jerry Day, expressed his passion for highlighting Garcia’s legacy, saying, “I found out in 1995 that Jerry came from the Excelsior, and I was like ‘how come nobody knows this?’ We were known for some other characters, but Jerry was more of a positive light.”
The festivities kicked off at 11:30 a.m., drawing enthusiastic crowds of all ages, from seasoned Deadheads to younger fans.
Peter Rowan took the stage first, rejuvenating the audience into a lively dance, as attendees cherished the sense of community and connection that the event fostered.
Many people, including families, friends, and even grandchildren of Deadheads, converged to share in the music and atmosphere.
As the jubilant crowd danced, donation buckets circulated among revelers, accompanied by enthusiastic calls to “Help keep Jerry Day free!”
With city funding slashed by 80% for the upcoming year, the organizers are facing challenges to continue offering this beloved event, which also sells VIP packages to offset costs, some priced over $150.
To ensure the continuation of this cherished gathering, the team has resorted to various fundraising measures, including merchandise sales, a GoFundMe initiative, and appeals for community support.
While some attendees reminisced about their wild experiences on the road with the Grateful Dead, a new generation of fans, affectionately dubbed “the kids” by the older attendees, relished the moment in their own way.
One young participant noted her appreciation for the band’s music, sharing, “I listened to China Cat Sunflower and I would dance in my room, in the kitchen and all over to it.”
Another added, “I saw Dead & Company in Los Angeles in 2019 and I found people who were dancing like me, that I didn’t know was happening. This is beautiful. It’s absolutely incredible. A free show in the park? Everyone is just stoked to be here, stoked to be alive.”
The atmosphere at Jerry Day was a testament to the enduring spirit of the Grateful Dead culture, with attendees fully embracing the freedom of the festival.
Everywhere you turned, you could see ecstatic supporters dancing barefoot, sporting tie-dye apparel, and showcasing cared-for dreadlocks.
Vendors contributed to the eclectic vibe, setting up stalls with offerings that included shroom chocolate, smoke accessories, fan-designed merchandise, and even crystals shared by a group of kids.
The excitement was palpable, with sets of 10-minute jam sessions filling the air amidst the haze of second-hand smoke that drifted through the open expanse of the park, transporting fans back to the height of the Deadhead experience.
Reflecting on the event, a 57-year-old Deadhead encapsulated the essence of the celebration: “The best [memory] was I don’t have any memories. It was just one continuous thing after another, because every beautiful day was an incredible experience [listening to the music.]”
image source from：missionlocal
