Manchester Life Summer / Fall 2025 | Page 39

Dead of Summer Festival
Dead of Summer, founded by Joe Levy, also thrives as a celebration deeply rooted in the local music scene. Its ethos is built around the longstanding legacy of the Grateful Dead, jam music, community engagement, and thoughtful growth. The festival, set for July 11 – 13, 2025, has evolved substantially since its inception as a single-day event in West Dover, Vermont, in 2019. After the festival’ s brief tenure at Magic Mountain, Levy partnered with Paul Carroccio. Together, they relocated the festival to Manchester’ s Hunter Park, a site Levy describes as“ a promoter’ s dream.” He adds:“ It’ s rare to find 25 acres of flat grass surrounded by beautiful mountains, conveniently located, and easily accessible.”
This year’ s lineup for Dead of Summer features an eclectic mix of headliners and emerging acts, including Melvin Seals and JGB, The Wailers, Dangermuffin, Steely Dead, Rev Tor & Friends, Bearly Dead, Dead Man’ s Waltz, Mystic Bowie’ s Talking Dreads, Organ Fairchild, The Wheel, and Jatoba, among others. Levy emphasizes the festival’ s deliberate musical diversity:“ Initially, as a one-day event, it was easier to focus exclusively on Grateful Dead tribute bands.” Now, spanning three days with over 20 bands, Dead of Summer has intentionally diversified its offerings. Levy notes:“ Our headliners— Prince / Bowie on Friday, Melvin and JGB for the traditional Dead experience on Saturday, and The Wailers on Sunday— each bring distinct audiences.”
No matter your age or ability, our summer activities will take you to new heights— from our triple-track Alpine Slide to the Giant Swing to our Big Splash Waterslide, customize your mountain playground experience at Bromley.
3984 VT Rt. 11, Peru, VT Bromley. com
Just 6 miles from Manchester. Open May – October.
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