Local Grateful Dead fans can have a front row seat at Danbury’s Ives Concert Park for one of the band’s last performances. To celebrate Grateful Dead’s distinguished 50-year career, the four original members, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir will play five final “Fare Thee Well” shows. Joined by Phish’s Trey Anastasio, as well as Jeff Chimenti and Bruce Hornsby, these last performances will be an historic celebration of the iconic band. The Forever Grateful music festival to be held on Friday, July 3 in Danbury will include a simulcast of Friday’s Grateful Dead concert from Chicago. Gates will open at 3 pm.

The festival will feature live performances by Grateful Dead tribute bands throughout the afternoon/evening along with various exhibitors, food and beverages. Prior to the main simulcast performance by the Grateful Dead projected on the jumbo screen at 8pm, live performances by Red Planet, Symphonic Bodega, Father Nelson and the Backsliders, Bobby Paltauf and Shakedown will entertain the crowd from 3pm until 8pm for dancin’ and jammin’ in true Grateful Dead style.

Location: Ives Concert Park, 43 Lake Ave Extension, Danbury. Forever Grateful tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. To order tickets visit ForeverGrateful.Evenbrite.com. See ad, page 25.