Get ready for a day filled with music and community spirit at the 28th Annual Jerry Bash, taking place on Saturday, August 3rd, at the scenic Pioneer Park in Nevada City, CA. This beloved family-friendly gathering celebrates the enduring music and life of Jerry Garcia, the iconic frontman of the Grateful Dead.
For years, the Miners Foundry Cultural Center has proudly hosted Jerry Bash, and Executive Director Gretchen Bond emphasizes its importance to the community. “Hosting this wonderful celebration annually in Pioneer Park epitomizes the essence of community — it is a truly joyful event that I am proud to be a part of,” she states. The event’s roots trace back to the passing of Jerry Garcia on August 9, 1995. Local band The Deadbeats, wanting to honor Garcia’s memory, organized the first Jerry Bash in 1996 as a free concert in Pioneer Park. What began as a heartfelt tribute has grown into a highly anticipated annual party for music enthusiasts, friends, and neighbors in Nevada City and beyond.
This year’s Jerry Bash at Pioneer Park promises a fantastic lineup of live music on the bandshell stage. Headliners The Deadbeats will be joined by a diverse range of artists including Kelly Flemming, Kellie Garmire & Friends performing “The Roots of the Grateful Dead,” Caltucky revisiting “Old & in the Way,” and Wolf Jett bringing their unique “Cosmic Mountain Music.” Attendees can enjoy not only the music but also a variety of food and drinks, arts and crafts vendors, and other attractions, all within the beautiful, forested setting of Pioneer Park, alongside Deer Creek in Nevada City. Local brews will be on tap courtesy of BrewBilt Brewing Company.
People enjoying music at an outdoor event in Pioneer Park, Nevada City
Adding extra excitement to this year’s event, The Deadbeats are also celebrating their 30th anniversary. Formed on August 4, 1994, at an open mic night in Nevada City’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen Pub, The Deadbeats have become a Northern California music staple. Known for their spirited jams and faithful renditions of the Grateful Dead’s songbook, they strike a balance between improvisation and honoring the original songs, always connecting with their lively Nevada County audience. Guitarist and frontman Tom Menig explains, “The Deadbeats were always inspired by the spirit of the music without being a wax museum copy of the Grateful Dead. We just have fun, which was kind of their mantra anyway.”
The Deadbeats performing live music at Jerry Bash in Pioneer Park, Nevada City
This year’s Jerry Bash will feature special guests joining The Deadbeats, including Paul Kamm of Achilles Wheel, an original band member, and a drum jam with past Deadbeats drummers, paying homage to Mickey Hart and Planet Drum. Miners Foundry Program Manager David Lloyd, a Grateful Dead enthusiast, recalls his first Jerry Bash in 2022, stating, “I attended my first Jerry Bash in 2022, as a fan not an employee. I was knocked out that Nevada County held this amazing Jerry-centric event every year.” He especially anticipates Caltucky’s tribute to “Old & in the Way,” recalling the bluegrass group’s profound influence on his musical tastes. Attendees can also look forward to performances by Kelly Fleming and Kellie Garmire exploring the blues, folk, and rock roots of the Grateful Dead, and the return of Wolf Jett, praised for their captivating “cosmic mountain music.”
For those looking for an enhanced experience at Pioneer Park, VIP tickets are available. The VIP Experience includes reserved tables, access to a VIP lounge with a private bar, complimentary appetizers, and exclusive access to the Nevada City pool within Pioneer Park.
Know & Go:
- Event: 28th Annual Jerry Bash
- Date: Saturday, August 3rd
- Time: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Gates open at 1:30 PM)
- Location: Pioneer Park, 421 Nimrod Street, Nevada City, CA
Get Tickets!
- General Admission Advance: $30
- General Admission Gate: $35
- Youth General Admission (16 & Under, gate only): $10
- Babes in arms: Free
- VIP Experience Add On (does NOT include admission ticket): $120
Tickets can be purchased online at minersfoundry.org or by phone through the Miners Foundry Box Office at (530) 265-5040, Tuesday – Friday, 9 AM – 4 PM.
Come celebrate the music of Jerry Garcia and the vibrant community of Nevada City at Jerry Bash in beautiful Pioneer Park!
