A Party with Purpose: Dead Head Ed’s End of Season Tradition

Each spring, as the ski season winds down, the Gunnison Valley comes together for a celebration that feels uniquely Crested Butte. Dead Head Ed’s End of Season Party is more than just a good time, it’s a community tradition rooted in connection, gratitude, and giving back.

Hosted at the Center for the Arts, the annual event raises funds for the Crested Butte Community School Enrichment Program, helping bring artistic, cultural, and educational opportunities to local students. From artist residencies and performances to workshops and after-school clubs, the program expands learning far beyond the classroom and ensures students have meaningful access to the arts.

The story behind the party is just as powerful as the event itself. Created by longtime Center employee Ed Boardman, known around town as Dead Head Ed, the tradition began after a life-changing experience. In 2006, Ed spent five weeks in a Grand Junction hospital battling endocarditis. During his recovery, the community showed up for him in a big way.

“I almost died, and the community supported the heck out of me,” Ed said. “Starting the party was my way to give back and throw an awesome celebration for the town.”

The first event took place in 2008, and aside from a pause in 2020, it has been bringing people together ever since. Over the years, it has grown alongside the Center for the Arts and has become what Ed calls the unofficial kickoff to Crested Butte’s closing weekend festivities.

While the event started with the idea of supporting the school’s music program, it quickly evolved into something bigger. By supporting the enrichment program as a whole, the fundraiser now helps reach more students and create more opportunities across disciplines.

“Budgets for the arts are often the first to get cut, but the arts are just as important as sports,” Ed said. “They’re amazing for the mind and the soul, and I want to help the kids in this community have those opportunities.”

At its core, Dead Head Ed’s End of Season Party is about people. It’s about showing up for one another, celebrating a shared place, and making sure the next generation has access to the same creativity and inspiration that make this community thrive.

“This isn’t a birthday party,” Ed said. “It’s a party for the community and the town. It’s a chance to celebrate together.”