Exhibit paying tribute to iconic Grateful Dead opens in SF's Golden Gate Park: Here's a look
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- "Forever Grateful," a massive two-part tribute to the Grateful Dead, has taken over San Francisco. The core exhibit is running at the Haight Street Art Center through September.
The "immersive experience" just opened Saturday inside the County Fair building at Golden Gate Park. We had a chance to take a closer look.
If you love the Grateful Dead, don't miss the two-part tribute to their enduring legacy.
Part one is at the Haight Street Art Center, which runs through Sept. 20.
"We have the art. Guitars and photography of the Grateful Dead. It's a truly, it's a one-of-a-kind exhibit," said Roger McNamee, exhibit investor.
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Part two, "Forever Grateful at Golden Gate Park" is an experiential show and runs until Oct. 25.
Some visitors say it's a transformative experience.
The exhibition brings visitors to where so much of the Grateful Dead's history actually happened.
"Exhibition that celebrates both the community surrounding the Grateful Dead and also the band," said Kelly Harris, executive director of the Haight Street Arts Center.
The focal point of the exhibit was the legendary psychedelic bus, Furthur.
"This is Furthur. This bus is almost 90 years old, and this is the bus that Ken Kesey purchased so that the Merry Pranksters could go across the country to the New York World's Fair in 1965," McNamee said.
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"It was amazing. I read about it my whole life. To see it in person, it doesn't seem real," said Amy Carranza, who was visiting from Kentucky.
The original Furthur bus is on display right next to Jerry Garcia's mint-condition BMW.
The Grateful Dead exhibit also includes live performers, art displays, and immersive experiences.
"We have these phone booths over in the corner here that invite you to tell your story," McNamee said.
"Participate in the liquid light show room, which allows you create your own liquid light show with the plates," Harris said.
"Forever Grateful" will include a free concert by Grahame Lesh & Friends on Labor Day in Robin Williams Meadow, right next to exhibit.
"If you're a Deadhead, you're going to love it. If you have no idea about The Grateful Dead, it's really worth coming to check out and find out what all these people are about," McNamee said.
