Dennis Hopper Day celebrates actor, 'Easy Rider'

The city of Taos named Saturday Dennis Hopper Day and celebrated the late actor, who shot his film Easy Rider in the region, with a series of events. Hopper, who died in 2010, directed and starred in the film, which was shot in the city and county of Taos, and Taos Pueblo. Easy Rider is about a bunch of counterculture motorcycle riders on a trip from Los Angeles to New Orleans. "We, the Red Willow People of the Taos Valley, recognize May 17, 2014, as Dennis Hopper Day. Our forefathers let Dennis shoot his film, Easy Rider, in 1968 and he became friends with our Elders and People of the Pueblo. On May 17th, we will recognize Dennis Hopper Day annually," Taos Pueblo Gov. Clyde M. Romero said in a statement. May 17 was Hopper's birthday. The day included a 49-mile Easy Rider Ride and live music, and was topped off with a screening of Easy Rider. Hopper's son, Marin Hopper, sent a public letter of thanks to the community for organizing the event. "My father, Dennis Hopper, loved Taos. It was a place that gave him the creative freedom that he desired throughout his life. I'm looking forward to participating in the first annual Dennis Hopper Day Celebration. Many thanks to a very close friend of my father's and the Hopper Family, Robby Romero, for making this day happen; and to the Taos Pueblo, and to the town and county of Taos for hosting such a wonderful commemoration of my father -- and his work as an actor, director, and artist." – XO, Marin Hopper