Dead & Company kicks off concert series at Golden Gate Park to much excitement

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The lines wrapped down several blocks outside San Francisco's Golden Gate Park Friday, as Dead and Company fans anxiously waited to see the band take the stage.

"It speaks to my soul. And, honestly, I can dance however I want and nobody's judging me," said Renee Rubio.

Rubio made the trip up to San Francisco from Southern California.

We caught up with her in the morning at the so-called Shakedown Street - a marketplace for fans that's followed the band since the 1980s.

Rubio says she recognized many of the faces here and that most had come from out of town.

RELATED: Specially-developed Grateful Dead roses on display at Golden Gate Park Rose Garden

A brand new, specially developed rose, inspired by the Grateful Dead, is now home at the Rose Garden in Golden Gate Park.

"Our entire hotel is filled with Deadheads. San Francisco is not dumb," she said.

Originally formed in the 1960s here in the Bay Area, the Grateful Dead and its spinoff Dead and Company are celebrating their 60th anniversary.

A legacy that's continued to create fans throughout the decades.

"The music is always evolving and I think has a way of speaking to different generations of fans," said Trent Marks.

Across the city in the Mission District, a special ceremony took place Friday morning to rename Harrington Street in honor of Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia, who died in 1995.

RELATED: SF preps for 3 weekends of Golden Gate Park music events, starting with Dead & Co. series

His daughter, Trixie Garcia, was there for the unveiling and says her father would be proud.

"I'm so honored. It's been so crazy to watch this whole thing become a cultural phenomenon and get into the history books. And Jerry deserves it 1,000%," Garcia said.

Back at Golden Gate Park, fans told us they're just happy to see the band perform once again.

And that they're looking forward to a weekend filled with not just good music, but a whole lot of love.

"It's been my whole life. It's like the theme song and the theme music of my entire life. And, so, it's like coming home. Wherever they go, I'm coming home," said Rubio.

If you can't make it to Golden Gate Park but still want to watch Dead and Company's performance, the final show of the weekend will be broadcast live at select IMAX theaters, click here to see a list of locations.