Soldier Field to Allow Tailgating for Grateful Dead Fans

The lots will open at 1 p.m. each day

Looks like this town has a little heart—Grateful Dead fans in Chicago may not be able to camp at Soldier Field for the band’s “Fare Thee Well” tour, but they’ll at least be able to walk down Shakedown Street.

Soldier Field spokesperson Luca Serra said tailgating over the Fourth of July weekend will be allowed and lots will open at 1 p.m. each day. The scheduled start time for the shows is 7 p.m.

Serra said no tailgating will be allowed after the shows.

The news comes just two days after officials decided not to permit overnight parking or camping during the three-day event, citing an assessment by the Chicago Park District and other city agencies.

More than 11,000 Grateful Dead fans signed a petition earlier this year asking officials to allow concert-goers to stay in the lots outside the venue.

Serra said Soldier Field shares the campus with three museums and a harbor and is close to the “very populated” South Loop community, which is why camping is typically not allowed.
“For those traveling, we recommend staying at Chicago’s exceptional hotels to experience all that Chicago has to offer during their stay,” Serra said.

Camping is a tradition for many Dead fans and typically led to what some described as a tent city, where people would often sell food, drinks and other goods outside venues.

Tickets for the highly anticipated event sold out within moments Saturday, causing prices to soar as high as $116,000 on resale sites like StubHub. 

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