Gathering of the Vibes Turns 20!

Vibes Celebrates it's 20th Year!

Gathering of the Vibes is an annual music, arts and camping festival now in its 20th year. Vibes has grown into a four-day festival that has featured such world-class talent as Crosby, Stills and Nash; all original members of the Grateful Dead; the Allman Brothers Band; Jane's Addiction; James Brown; the Black Crowes; Buddy Guy; Elvis Costello; George Clinton and P-Funk; Bruce Hornsby; Les Claypool; and many, many more big names, while continuing to showcase extraordinarily talented, young, up-and-coming bands to the 20 thousand people who attend each year.

Held in six different venues over its eighteen years, Vibes 2014 marked the festival's tenth return to Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT, making Seaside Park the Vibes venue more than any other place.

Vibes has become the Northeast's most family friendly music festival -- springing from traditions born in the Grateful Dead community.

During the band's 30 year run, the Grateful Dead sparked the creation of an unparalleled sub-culture of loyally devoted enthusiasts. More than just another band, the Grateful Dead became a way of life for thousands of self-proclaimed Deadheads.

For decades, Grateful Dead shows served as a community-building institution where followers revelled with friends both old and new.

When Jerry Garcia died in 1995, these fans were left with a void.

In 1996, Ken Hays, a Grateful Dead aficionado, got some of his friends together to throw a memorial party for Garcia on the campus of SUNY Purchase. Aptly named "Deadhead Heaven - A Gathering of the Tribe", the event provided a forum for music lovers to celebrate the life of Garcia and to reunite for a weekend of spiritual renewal. In 1997, the festival relocated to Croton Point Park, NY and was re-named "Gathering of the Vibes." 

In each year since, Gathering of the Vibes has carried the spirit of these initial events forward by creating wholly unique musical experiences for attendees from far and wide. The folks who come to the Vibes annually to build and renew their bonds of friendship comprise the community that has affectionately become known as the Vibe Tribe.

In 1999 Vibes found a natural home for the annual event at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT. Then in 2000, Bob Weir became the first Grateful Dead alumni to grace the Vibes’ stage, performing both with his band Ratdog and in a memorable sit-in with bass virtuoso Les Claypool.

Vibes 2015 promises to be even more spectacular! 

http://gatheringofthevibes.com/

M
Submitted by Milford, CT

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