Three years ago today (July 5) marked the final show of the Grateful Dead’s “Fare Thee Well” 50th anniversary celebration where the all band’s surviving members performed their final shows together.
The three-night stand took place July 3-5 at Soldier Field in Chicago, and considering such a historical event, Deadheads from around the world descended on the Windy City to honor the band they hold so dear in their hearts.
In honor of this anniversary, here’s a look back at the scene of fans tailgating before the shows, from those selling merch to those looking for “A Miracle.”
Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A general view of atmosphere during Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A general view of atmosphere during Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A general view of atmosphere during Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead – General Atmosphere
ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A general view of atmosphere during Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead – General Atmosphere
ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A general view of atmosphere during Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A general view of atmosphere during Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A general view of atmosphere during Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A general view of atmosphere during Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead – General Atmosphere
ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A general view of atmosphere during Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
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ShareFare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead – General Atmosphere
ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A general view of atmosphere during Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead – General Atmosphere
ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A general view of atmosphere during Fare Thee Well, A Tribute To The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: Matt Coglianese entertains fans heading to a Grateful Dead concert at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The show is one of three scheduled to be held in Chicago this weekend to mark the end of the band's 50 years together. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: Tamara Gray waits with other Grateful Dead fans for the gates of Soldier Field to open for one of the band's final shows on their 50th anniversary tour on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The show is one of three scheduled to be held in Chicago this weekend to mark the end of the band's 50 years together. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: Hope Dean plays for Grateful Dead fans as they wait for the gates of Soldier Field to open for one of the band's final shows on their 50th anniversary tour on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The show is one of three scheduled to be held in Chicago this weekend to mark the end of the band's 50 years together. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: A Grateful Dead fan looks for a ticket outside the gates of Soldier Field before one of the band's final shows on their 50th anniversary tour on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The show is one of three scheduled to be held in Chicago this weekend to mark the end of the band's 50 years together. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: Grateful Dead fans wait for the gates of Soldier Field to open for one of the band's final shows on their 50th anniversary tour on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The show is one of three scheduled to be held in Chicago this weekend to mark the end of the band's 50 years together. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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ShareGrateful Dead Fans Gather In Chicago Ahead Of Farewell Shows
ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: Grateful Dead fans wait for the gates of Soldier Field to open for one of the band's final shows on their 50th anniversary tour on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The show is one of three scheduled to be held in Chicago this weekend to mark the end of the band's 50 years together. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Grateful Dead Fans Gather In Chicago Ahead Of Farewell Shows
ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: Tamara Gray waits with other Grateful Dead fans for the gates of Soldier Field to open for one of the band's final shows on their 50th anniversary tour on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The show is one of three scheduled to be held in Chicago this weekend to mark the end of the band's 50 years together. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: Grateful Dead fans wait for the gates of Soldier Field to open for one of the band's final shows on their 50th anniversary tour on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The show is one of three scheduled to be held in Chicago this weekend to mark the end of the band's 50 years together. (Photo by Scott Olson/Gett
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ShareGrateful Dead Fans Gathe@j¾é>i¿ê A l Ä ð!!
ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: Mahrin Owings and Dylan Howard, who rode a freight train to the concert, waits with Grateful Dead fans for the gates of Soldier Field to open for one of the band's final shows on their 50th anniversary tour on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The show is one of three scheduled to be held in Chicago this weekend to mark the end of the band's 50 years together. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Grateful Dead Fans Gather In Chicago Ahead Of Farewell Shows
ShareCHICAGO, IL - JULY 03: Chato Arreguin sells t-shirts to Grateful Dead heading to a show at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The show is one of three scheduled to be held in Chicago this weekend to mark the end of the band's 50 years together. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)