During a sunny day in May, Canyon Rim Park held the All Along The Wasatch festival, a free outdoor jam fest with bands playing Grateful Dead covers. The tunes began early afternoon and went until 9 p.m. Bands included Cosmic Possum, The Pranksters and Scotty and the Daylites.

Jack Adkins, from Millcreek, along with his sister, Sherry Thompson said they “were out for an afternoon to hear music.” Adkins has been following the Grateful Dead for years including a memorable concert back in Boston.

A booth was occupied by the Deadhead Sisters of Salt Lake. They like to boast that they are not like other girls. This group was created by Katie Kennedy. “We moved here four years ago, and I started going to local concerts by myself and so I started this Facebook group. We just launched our website this week,” Kennedy said. They want sisters out there to connect for friendship, fun and music.

“So we have followed the Dead for many years,” Kennedy said. She wanted to connect to other music loving folks in the community who wanted to attend concerts with her. “I went on Facebook and there is a group out there called Deadhead Women United and I asked if there are any sisters out there that want to connect.”

“This developed into six women having dinner together at Trolley Square and then the birth of Deadhead Sisters which is a women-only community. So music connects us but we are so talented with art and music and more,” Kennedy said. 

Deadhead Sisters of Salt Lake City is open to other like-minded women who want to join. “I want you and your daughters too,” said member Wendy Gatz Rusin about the new Facebook group. 

Yellow balloons guided the way to the Wharf Rats table at the concert. “Wharf Rats” is a song about addiction by the Grateful Dead. The Wharf Rats table has been a staple at the Dead shows for years to help people stay sober at a concert. 

“The Wharf Rats started for people that were in recovery and going to concerts. It provides tractions for a slippery environment,” said Phil, a volunteer at The Wharf Rats table.

Vendors lined the park including Sauced Up Salsa. “It is all fire roasted and I make it myself. My husband makes all the chips,” Jessica Erikson said.

A Dead concert would not be complete without the creative shirts and artwork from fans. Mikey Powell and Lina Magana had a booth. “We’re selling my handmade art and hand drawn pieces. We use Sharpie pens and colored pencils. This is our first official show. We are all family here,” said Powell. They are part of the younger generation of Deadheads.

Holladay resident Sonja Wallace volunteered at the show. Wallace is a self-proclaimed Deadhead. “My first show was in 1980 in Denver, Colorado. I have been to 60 shows which is a low number.” Wallace said one of her favorite songs by the Grateful Dead is “The Wheel,” because “it keeps spinning around!” λ