I will have a booth at this great event just steps away from the where I grew up in the Cahuilla Hills and first discovered the beauty and diversity of the Coachella Valley.
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9am - 4pm
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center,
Palm Desert, California
(760) 862-9984
Free entry – Free parking – Free Shuttle buses to event
FESTIVAL LOCATION: The Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival is being held at the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51-500 Hwy. 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260. The Visitor Center is located 4 miles south of Hwy. 111 off Hwy. 74.
Event Parking: Free parking is provided by St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert. There is no on-site event parking.
Complimentary shuttle buses run every 15 minutes to and from the parking lot to the festival grounds. The first public bus leaves parking area at 8:45 a.m. and the last public bus leaves the event grounds at 4:15 p.m.
DIRECTIONS TO EVENT PARKING: St. Margaret’s parking lot is located at 47535 Hwy. 74, (2.5 miles south of Hwy. 111). From Interstate 10, take the Monterey Street exit and travel south to Hwy 111. Monterey Avenue becomes Hwy. 74.
KIDS’ ACTIVITIES
Bring the kids out for a day of fun! There is an entire section of the festival known specifically as the “Kids Zone.” There will be a variety of crafts tables for children to create special projects and bring home their creations.
HIKES & WALKS
Certified trail guides will be located on the Randall Henderson Trail to provide information on the flora and fauna of the area. If you are not up for a moderate hike, consider a short walk on the Ed Hastey Loop Trail around the Visitor Center to learn about the native plants there from stationed guides. Please dress appropriately and wear good walking shoes and sunscreen. Water will be available for purchase.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND LANDSCAPING WORKSHOPS
If you want to get that perfect photo of a beautiful wildflower, why not sit in on a photography workshop before hitting the trail? Or learn how to landscape your yard with desert-friendly plants that you’ll be able to identify. How about learning about the fascinating life of an accomplished storyteller, painter, greeting card artist, mycologist, sheep farmer, and land conservationist? Presentations will be occurring throughout the day in the Friends Administrative Building or on the trail as follows:
9:30 am-10:30 am. Nature Photography Tips & Techniques – Chris Miller 9:30 am-10:30 am. Wildflower Identification Workshop – Katie Barrows 10:45 pm-11:45 pm. Desert Landscaping - How & Why – Ruth Watling 12:00 pm-1:00 pm. Victorian Era Conservationist and Author Beatrix Potter – Betsy Bray 1:15 pm-2:15 pm. Wildflower Identification Workshop – Katie Barrows
1:30 pm-2:30 pm. Nature Photography Tips & Techniques – Chris Miller 2:30 pm -3:30 pm. Desert Landscaping - How & Why – Ruth Watling
ARTISTS AND VENDORS
We will have artists and vendors offering a variety of interesting products for you to purchase. Items vary from pottery, artwork, home décor and gift items, to name just a few. Artists and vendors are donating a portion of their sale proceeds to the Friends of the Desert Mountains. Please come out and support them!
EXHIBITORS
Would you like to learn more about desert plants and landscaping, solar energy, local animals and other state and national parks nearby, among other interesting topics? Then stop by the exhibitor booths and ask questions and receive literature from a variety of groups. Come learn more about the area you live and play in!
MUSIC
There will be musical entertainment in the Wine & Beer Garden from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
WINE & BEER GARDEN
Wine and Beer will be available for purchase for those 21 and older with proper identification. Commemorative souvenir wine glasses are available for additional cost. NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED IN THE KIDS ZONE AND NO OPEN CONTAINERS MAY BE
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Spend the day with us. No need to rush home for lunch. Great lunch choices, snacks and drinks available for purchase. Please, no coolers allowed.
PLEIN AIR ARTISTS
Want to see a work of art created right before your eyes? Sit a while and watch as plein air artists capture the natural beauty of the landscape on canvas. Choose your favorite to purchase and bring the beauty of the outdoors right into your home.
BOOK SIGNERS
Renowned local authors will be on hand to discuss their literary works and autograph your book purchases.
PETS
While we love our four-legged friends as much as you do, space is very limited, so please do not bring pets to this event.
BENEFACTOR
All proceeds benefit the local nonprofit Friends of the Desert Mountains, a 501(c)3 who has been the leader in conservation of the beautiful mountains surrounding our valley for over twenty years. We are the largest private conservationist in the Coachella Valley owning more than 14,000 acres and partnering in the preservation of over 40,000 acres. We also provide support to the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument by providing volunteers, community programs and financial and promotional support for the Monument.
