Gerald Ford Amphitheater Information

Gerald R Ford Amp in Vail is an exceptional venue that plays host to a variety of events. These range across several cultural and entertainment offerings, including dance and classical music recitals, to commercial concerts from the biggest bands and performers in the world. It also hosts a variety of concerts and festivals including the Vail Dance Festival and the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival as well as the Hot Summer Nights series of free weekly concerts. It also hosts local chorale and theater presentations throughout the year.

After years of construction and fundraising efforts, the Gerald R Ford Amphitheater –also known by the nickname “The Amp” – opened to the public on June 27th, 1987. As the name suggests, former United States President Gerald R Ford dedicated the amphitheater when it was opened.

The venue came to be via the Vail Valley Foundation, also known as the VVF. The VVF is a non-profit organization in Vail that is dedicated to enhancing and enriching the educational and cultural landscape in the town. 

Gerald R Ford was one of the various people who helped to create the organization, hence why he is the namesake for the venue. Ford became a frequent visitor to the venue as well as an advocate for the VVF. 

The VVF raised the money for the structure and provided the land. Today, the land is still leased to the organization and remains so via a long-term lease. The Vail Valley Foundation continues to manage the venue to this day. 

Location

Situated in the beautiful hillside in Vail, Colorado, the Gerald Ford Amphitheater is visually stunning. Not only in the venue itself but in it’s surroundings, with a view of Rocky Mountains and luscious green woodlands. So when the sun is shining down on this venue, the light and energy is tranquil – making it the perfect place to see Orchestras and solo classical musicians perform!

Just like you would expect in a natural park setting, drinks and food are allowed inside, so while watching the concert, you can create your very own picnic and kick back on the green, giving it a real community feel.

What better way to spend a whole summer day, outside, enjoying the best talent at a music festival, both local and world-famous, all from the comfort of a seated arena.
Attending this venue is a refreshing and unique experience, when it’s time to leave, you will be eager to return!

Opening ceremony and initial years

The opening ceremony in June featured performances from the National Marine Corps Band and comedian and entertainer Bob Hope. This high standard of performers at the venue only continued. A month after the venue opened, on July 16th, 1987, iconic country music star Willie Nelson became the first headliner to perform at The Amp. 

Willie Nelson’s concert was one of six performance events that launched the venue’s opening season. The other performances were as follows:

• » The Colorado Springs Symphony – performed on July 3rd, 1987. 
• » The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater – performed on July 11th and 12th, 1987. 
• » Concert violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and the Colorado Springs Symphony – performed on August 9th, 1987
• » The Vail Symposium’s women’s presentation – performed on August 15th, 1987
• » The U.S. Army Chorale and Band – performed from September 5th to September 7th, 1987

In 1988, the venue began to play host to the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival. The festival was founded in 1987 and would go on to feature performances from some of the world’s top-class orchestras and musicians. 

The venue became even more varied in the entertainment offered in 1989 when it played host to the debut performances of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. The academy later evolved into the Vail Dance Festival. The amphitheater is still involved with the festival, as it is a part of the venue’s annual schedule. 

Since the venue opened, it has hosted various artists who have put on memorable concerts. One of the most infamous concerts in the venue’s history was on August 24th, 1992. On this night, the amphitheater hosted the California rock band Santana. The supporting act of the night was the Vermont group Phish, who were then only a burgeoning band. 

Renovations

The Gerald R Ford Amphitheater went through a series of renovations in 2001, totaling around 9 million dollars. These renovations greatly expanded the venue, improving the facilities, increasing the seating capacity, and upgrading the amenities. The upgrades also included a more significant roof so that guests to the venue were better shielded from rainy weather. 

In 2014, another set of upgrades included a new entrance to the venue. This area is known as “The Lobby”, and the new amenities included upgraded restrooms, concessions, and an improved ticketing area. The lawn area of the venue was also newly terraced so that guests in this area had a more comfortable experience with better sightlines. 

Today, the Gerald R Ford Amphitheater remains a staple in the US for rock, bluegrass, and country music concerts. It is also still home to the Vail Dance Festival and the Bravo! Vail music festival. When it comes to events held at the venue, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

History

When the venue was first opened to the public it held its first ever performances in 1987. When it opened, it had a capacity of only 1,200 people, with 900 in seats and the rest on the scenic lawn. And its June 27 opening ceremony was attended by 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford and his wife, Betty Ford as well as Bob Hope, Dolores Hope, and many other famous persons.

The first major performance at the venue was headlined by Willie Nelson on July 16, 1987 with tickets sold for $100 for reserved seating and $25 for general admission. And Vail Valley Foundation President Bob Knous credited President Ford for helping to bring Willie Nelson to this first venue.

That concert was one of six that formed the opening season of the venue, which also included the Colorado Springs Symphony on July 3, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater July 11-12, concert violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg with the Colorado Springs Symphony Aug. 9, the Vail Symposium’s women’s presentation Aug. 15, and the U.S. Army Chorale and Band on September 5-7

Gerald R Ford Amphitheater Today

Today, the venue has expanded to a 2,500+ seat venue that hosts big names in rock, country, and bluegrass as well as prominent musicians and artists from other genres. It hosts the world’s top talent at the Vail Dance Festival each summer and is home to a variety of community events, graduations, and ceremonies throughout the year. But nothing brings more joy to the community then its world famous summertime concert series.

Visiting The Amphitheater

Most fans will tell you that they had a wonderful time at the show. The venue staff is warm and friendly and often takes great effort to make everyone feel welcome at the show. From the moment a guest arrives they will be greeted with smiles and open arms. And the facilities are designed to provide everything that you could want. That means clean restrooms, plenty of ADA-approved space, delicious food and refreshing drinks from all the vendors.

As far as the regular fans, they offer a cool and relaxed vibe before the show that explodes into enthusiastic cheering when the band takes the stage. And that wild and unbridled energy pushes bands to play their hearts out making for some of the most energetic concerts of their careers.

But most importantly, concerts at Gerald R Ford Amp are surrounded by the simple beauty of Vail, which is both scenic and majestic.