CMHOF’s VIP reception with panel discussion “Colorado Getaway: The History of the Grateful Dead in the High Country” was a huge success for attendees, judging by the number of smiling faces and superlatives offered.
Board member Paul Epstein was the driving force behind this event, offering his encyclopedic knowledge of the Dead and his wealth of artifacts to craft a memorable experience for Deadheads. Everyone in attendance was smitten by the timeline exhibit that has since been displayed at The Hall’s museum at Red Rocks Amphitheatre Trading Post.
Board member “Pasta Jay” Elowsky and his staff did their typically brilliant job in creating a festive, celebratory atmosphere for the band and its fans with the incredible Dead-inspired cuisine, balloons, etc. After opening remarks, renowned Grateful Dead authority David Gans (“The Grateful Dead Hour“) performed a few songs in tribute to the band, then moderated a panel of Paul, Grammy winner David Glasser (Airshow Mastering) and promoter Don Strasburg. Celebrity Deadhead Bill Walton made an appearance and graciously posed for pictures and signed autographs.
The three original members of the Grateful Dead—Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann—arrived and offered their good-natured insights into the band’s defining events in Colorado.
The afternoon ended with the distribution of “swag” envelopes containing a “Red Rocks 7/8/78” 3-CD set (available for sale on our SHOP) and commemorative comic, menu and postcards, followed by a wonderful performance by Dead & Co. in club level seats.
