As Deadheads from all over prepare to descend upon San Francisco, CA in early August for a long list of events celebrating 60 years of the Grateful Dead, the city of San Francisco and the organizers of its annual Jerry Day celebration have announced an unveiling ceremony for the newly re-named Jerry Garcia Street (Harrington Street between Alemany Boulevard and Mission Street). The street-naming ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. (time subject to change) on Friday, August 1st, which would have been the late Grateful Dead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter’s 83rd birthday.
According to a press release about the Jerry Garcia Street dedication, “The ceremony, taking place on Jerry’s birthday, will be on Harrington Street between Alemany Boulevard and Mission Street in the Excelsior District where Garcia was born and lived with his grandparents. Trixie Garcia, Jerry’s daughter, and Jerry Day founder Tom Murphy are confirmed to attend. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and other special guests are also expected to attend.”
The 23rd Annual Jerry Day, which celebrates Garcia’s contributions to music and the city of San Francisco, is set to take place on Saturday, August 2nd at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park. The festivities will feature Melvin Seals & JGB with fiddle player Mads Tolling, plus Stu Allen & Mars Hotel. Following the show, after-party events and an Excelsior Market will take place along the Excelsior Corridor. Find more information about the 23rd annual Jerry Day and its surrounding events here.
Meanwhile, Dead & Company—featuring Grateful Dead veterans Bob Weir and Mickey Hart alongside John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti, and Jay Lane—will be in Golden Gate Park on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd alongside a trio of high-profile opening acts (Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson, and Trey Anastasio Band). Grahame Lesh & Friends are also hosting The Heart of Town, a guest-packed, three-night celebration at Pier 48 in Mission Rock, featuring an evening show on Thursday, July 31st and late-night parties on Friday and Saturday, August 1st and 2nd. Check out the full lineup for The Heart of Town and grab your tickets here.
San Francisco Mayor Lurie says, “Jerry Day is a uniquely San Francisco celebration—rooted right here in the Excelsior, where Jerry Garcia grew up, and carried forward each year by the neighbors, artists, and small businesses who make this city so special. This free, homegrown tribute in McLaren Park brings generations of fans together and shows that San Francisco’s creative spirit isn’t just history—it’s alive in every neighborhood.”
Of note, Garcia is not the only member of the Grateful Dead whose name will adorn a city street. Earlier this year, Port Chester, NY renamed the street outside The Capitol Theatre after late bassist Phil Lesh, who frequented the venue throughout his later years. Watch a video of the Phil Lesh Lane dedication ceremony below.
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