Four places in Maine to watch Fare Thee Well, the Grateful Dead’s final three shows

A Grateful Dead fan stands outside Levi's Stadium before Grateful Dead's "Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead" farewell tour at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California June 27, 2015. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

A Grateful Dead fan stands outside Levi’s Stadium before Grateful Dead’s “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead” farewell tour at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California June 27, 2015. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

Whether you’re a road-tested, tried and true Deadhead, a casual fan who’s been to a few shows, too young to have seen them but still a fan, or just curious about the cultural icon that is the Grateful Dead, this weekend — Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights — is the weekend of weekends. The Grateful Dead (what’s left of them, anyway) will play their for real, no kidding, honest-to-goodness final three shows ever, July 3-5 at Chicago’s Soldier Field, while also celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary. Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir will be joined by guests including guitarist Trey Anastasio of Phish, pianist Bruce Hornsby and keyboardists Jeff Chimenti. The spirit of Jerry Garcia will also, of course, be in attendance.

Tickets for the historic show in Chicago, as well as last weekend’s two-night stand in Santa Clara, California, sold out months ago, but never fear, Pine Tree State Deadheads — there are several options to watch a simulcast of the shows right here in Maine.

  • State Theatre, Portland — The Portland venue will show all three nights of the simulcast, offering up a concert experience that’s as close as anyone not in attendance at the actual show will ever get to see the Dead live. The screening is for ages 21 and over, and tickets for individual nights are $10 in advance or $15 at the door, and there’s a limited number of three-day passes available for $25. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
  • Featherfoot Farm, Aurora — For a more rustic Dead experience in a beautiful location, the 140-acre Featherfoot Farm in Aurora, off Route 9 near where Hancock, Penobscot and Washington counties meet, is offering three nights of the simulcast and camping out, all for the low low price of free. Though please, be groovy and bring a nicely-size donation to help defray the costs. We also recommend bringing a tent, snacks and whatever other supplies you might need, though the folks at Featherfoot will also be cooking up brick oven pizza. Featherfoot Farm is located at 80 Giles Pond Road in Aurora.
  • Lincoln Theatre, Damariscotta — For an intimate, small town experience, the Lincoln Theater, on the coast in beautiful Damariscotta, will show the final, Sunday night show only, with beverages provided by King Eider’s Pub and tickets at just $10.
  • Cinemagic Grand in Clarks Pond, South Portland — This movie theater in SoPo will show all three nights of the simulcast for $10, each night. Shows start at 8 p.m.
Emily Burnham

About Emily Burnham

Emily Burnham is a Maine native, UMaine graduate, proud Bangorian and a writer for the Bangor Daily News, where she's worked since 2004. She reports on everything from local bands to local food to all the cool things going on in the Greater Bangor area. In her quest for stories, she's seen countless concerts and plays, been lobster fishing, interviewed celebrities, hung out with water buffalo and played in a ukulele orchestra. She's interested in everything that happens in Maine.