THE INDIO DATE FESTIVAL

During the annual INDIO DATE FESTIVAL AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY FAIR, held in Indio, the entire city springs into action with a week of activities and entertainment. An Arabian-themed play is held every night, world class entertainment comes to the town of 50,000+ residents, and livestock, camel races, beauty pageant queens and a huge carnival all keep locals focused on fun. 

Opening ceremony includes blessing of the dates, and award-winning Arabian Nights Musical Pageant starting at 6:15 p.m. at the Pageant Stage. An entertaining show that mingles contemporary humor with classic folklore, magic and mystery are at the heart of “Aladdin and the Heart of Agrabah”.

Also arriving on the first day are the Llamas, Dairy Goats, Poultry.  Opening Ceremony & Blessing of the Dates at 9:30am; Camel & Ostrich Races at 11am & 3pm – Arena; WGAS Motorsports Monster Trucks at 8pm – Arena and Carnival rides from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Affordable admission makes this event a great family outing and draws California vacationers and beach dwellers from as far away as 100 miles.

Location: Indio is located about 70 miles east of Palm Springs or 125 miles east of Los Angeles in Riverside County.  

Riverside County Fairgrounds

82-503 Hwy 111, Indio, CA 92201. Call: (800) 811-FAIR or (760) 863-8247. WWW.datefest.org

Their event becomes much more than just a beautiful ceremony, it becomes an experience, a weekend of individuality and expression, perfectly orchestrated to reflect their style, graciousness toward their guests and love for each other.

The greater PALM SPRINGS area is a magical destination for couples wanting to create a wedding event that is distinctive and unique, truly their own.

The beauty of PALM SPRINGS is its proximity to several large metropolitan cities and the ultra easy access for national and international air travel. The greater PALM SPRINGS area does everything it can to lure and romance couples seeking an original, elegant wedding experience.
 

 Beautiful churches, gorgeous country clubs and 7 grand hotel resorts all present wonderful options for the PALM SPRINGS DESTINATION WEDDING weekend. But, the slightly off center, eclectic, unique and discrete venues found only through a professional event planner is where the Palm Springs area really shines!

PLANNING A DESTINATION WEDDING

When planning a destination wedding, the first 2 questions you must discuss and resolve are:

Question #1. What is your budget?  Truly, in your heart of hearts, before you ever make a single phone call, decide on what you would “like to spend” and what you are “willing to spend” on your event. Somewhere between these two numbers is your “reality.” 

Question #2. What type of weekend experience do YOU, as a couple, want to share with our family and friends. Quite often, well meaning family and friends weigh in very early and impact your original ideas and true wishes. Keep in mind, although family is very important, this is your day and should evolve into an experience exquisite and uniquely your very own.

When considering a destination wedding, having the assistance of a professional “on the ground” in your desired area, is invaluable. She or he, will most certainly help you save precious time and yes, even money! They know the ropes, so to speak, and can efficiently help you sort through and organize all the details that can become overwhelming and unfortunately, if mismanaged, costly. They will help you select the perfect mix of required vendors and introduce you to many location-venues you may have never even considered.

 Cathy O’Connell owner of “Celebrations of Joy” is a professional wedding-event planner in the greater PALM SPRINGS area. Her experience, connections and local insight opens doors you may never find on your own! She recently took us on a tour of 4 of her favorite wedding venues, a variety to be sure, each spectacular and original and certainly off  the beaten path.

THE LIVING DESERT. Located in Palm Desert Ca, was established in 1970 as a non-profit education and conservation center dedicated to preserving desert plant and animal life.  It contains lush botanical gardens and more than 430 desert animals representing 150 breeds including endangered species such as Grevy’s zebra, Arabian oryx, Mexican gray wolves and Peninsular Bighorn sheep. Throughout the park are amazing areas perfect for social events both large and small.  With the assistance of an experienced planner, this rustic but refined outdoor establishment can be transformed into an unforgettable wedding venue.  

The Commissioners house, an intimate living-dining room authentically appointed  accommodates parties of 50 or less and  is a slice of African heaven.

The Palm Patio, for larger parties of 50-400 lets you dine and dance under the stars surrounded by beautiful Palm trees and the natural sounds of the desert.

The newest event space is the Chase Building. The epitome of cultural class, this indoor-outdoor space offers an outdoor patio space for cocktails and dancing , interior space for formal dining and a private collection art gallery for continued socialization.

 HOME OF WILLIAM HOLDEN.

A private home perched in the hills above Palm Springs still reflects the life and times of William Holden and Stephanie Powers. Their love for Africa, and their zest for gracious entertaining are evident in this spacious 7000 SF home with indescribable views.

THE ACE HOTEL recently transformed, is a trendy, campy hotel located in Palm Springs, Ca. that appeals to the hip style seekers of Hollywood, San Francisco and New York.  Edgy, original, and extremely comfortable, it is part of a very successful hotel chain out of Portland Oregon.

Chrome, glass, steel, lashed canvas and concrete create the huge gymnasium like event compound adjacent to a gorgeous pool. The glass walls completely open and dissappear to create an amazing indoor-outdoor venue. Hosting your entire wedding at the Ace Hotel with 450 guest rooms, restaurant, room service, 2 pools and a relaxed atmosphere is a spectacular option.

THE LA QUINTA RESORT.  Nestled at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, tucked within this amazing resort is LA CASA, the  former personal retreat of Greta Garbo. A petite lawn and garden  is transformed into your very own, very private ceremony site. Migrate to the intimate covered patio with outdoor fireplace for cocktails then enjoy your reception under the stars as you dine and dance the night away surrounded by flowers and citrus trees. Nicely secluded, this venue is away from most resort traffic, personal, private and quite perfect!

A DESTINATION WEDDING CAN BE THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME. Enjoy the process from planning to savoring every single minute of your weekend. Spend the weekend in Palm Springs and discover the magic of the California desert resort area and all it has to offer. For a destination consultation and area tour with a true professional, contact Cathy O’Connell. 

Visit   CELEBRATIONS OF JOY or call  760 777-8420  Tell her you saw the desert on  BeHereTV.com!

 Set along the San Andreas fault, the preserve is dotted with beautiful standing ponds, Fan Palm oases including  including the Willis, Hidden Horseshoe, and Indian Palms and is home to many endangered species like the Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard and the Pupfish.

Join Christopher Baker, travel writer, as he takes us on a quick tour.

 The Coachella Valley Preserve system was designed to protect and endemic, threatened animal, the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, found nowhere else in the world, this lizard is a member of a rich array of organisms specialized to live on sand dunes

Desert sand dunes harbor one of the most species rich communities found in our southwestern deserts.

There is fewer than 5% of that habitat remaining in viable condition. Over the years, the lure of mild winter temperatures and beautiful scenery has resulted in an explosion of human development.

As canyons filled with houses, development pushed into the valley’s center, blocking the vital sand movement processes that keep the dunes alive. Today the majority of the remaining, viable dune habitat is contained in the Coachella Valley Preserve system.

On any given day you may see a Coyote, Roadrunner, rabbits, a Rattlesnake and yes, if you are lucky the elusive Fringe-toed Lizard!

 There are over 20,000 acres of pristine desert landscape protected within the preserve with miles and miles of nicely marked trails for hiking and exploring.

Get a map at the Visitors Center and you will find a trail perfectly suited to your fitness level. 

 Hiking from the rustic visitors center to the top of Vista Point takes you through two of the major Palm groves and gives you an overall perspective of the vast desert dunes.

For a wonderful day hike for the entire family, plan an early morning departure.  Bring a light jacket for potential weather changes, and while in the desert, always remember to carry sunscreen and plenty of water.

There is so much more to the Palm Springs desert resorts area than wonderful restaurants, world class golf, gorgeous pools and non stop shopping. Take a day, hop in the car and explore what nature has to offer. It’s spectacular!

    For more information visit:

COACHELLA VALLEY PRESERVE

THE LIVING DESERT IS ALL THIS and so much more.

A single word could not begin to describe all that The Living Desert is and does. One must string words together, like beads: zoo and endangered species conservation center – botanical gardens – natural history museum – wilderness park – nature preserve – education center. The thread that holds all the beads together is the word “desert.” 

The Living Desert, located in the town of Palm Desert, California, provides a one-stop opportunity to explore all the great American deserts and learn about their plants and animals. The Living Desert occupies 1,200 acres of the California Desert, 200 of which are developed as a zoo, botanical garden and natural history museum.

 A visit to the Living Desert and Gardens is an opportunity to see remarkable native plants, animals and the natural landscape of the Palm Desert area. 

A walk along the well manicured winding paths brings you up close to desert flora and fauna in a natural setting.  You feel as though you are walking through a natural landscape. 

Meet over  400 different species, including Mexican wolves, bobcats and falcons. Visit the outdoor theater that offers live presentations twice a day.  Don’t miss the Butterfly and Hummingbird compound or the enormous model train exhibit that defies your imagination.

THE MODEL TRAIN EXHIBIT IS WORLD CLASS.

Throughout the year, The Living Desert is host to several annual events. WILD LIGHTS in December is a family tradition for many locals. Hundreds of thousands of lights decorate the trees and walkways creating a wonderland of light and color. Hot cocoa, chili and toasted marshmallows are served with a background of music and entertainment.  HOWL-O-WEEN is celebrated 2 nights each year with vendor booths and treats for children. 

A highlight to anyone’s visit to the Palm Springs area, The Living Desert is a great outing for the entire family

THE LIVING DESERT 47900 Portola Dr. Palm Desert CA 760 346 5694

http://www.livingdesert.org

Open to the public and the trade, the studios and galleries feature contemporary paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry and experimental artwork by knowledgeable and approachable artists.

Backstreet hosts a monthly ART WALK and open studio reception the FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH from 6:00-9:00 PM.  You can find poetry readings, book signings, private art classes, theatrical productions and monthly artist’s receptions at the various galleries.

 
The art district is located at Highway 111 and Cherokee Way behind the Mercedes-Benz Dealership. Look for the big red “ART” on the wall of the building. Most galleries are open Wed-Sun 11-4 and always by appointment.

We invite you to visit the websites of the following Backstreet Art District galleries

ART BY PETER

TED PHILLIP DENTON

ANNETTE MARIE ART COLLECTION

IMAGES BY GIDEON

REDDOT GALLERY

TREVOR GOSS

Come and experience the energy and relaxed vibe of the Backstreet Art District.

The INDIAN WELLS GOLF COURSE rivals any private course in California as does the Palm Desert public course known as DESERT WILLOW.

For the player just learning the game or those looking for economy, CIMARRON GOLF in Cathedral City and INDIAN SPRINGS in Indio are both great choices.

Locals as well as vacationing golfers will always find a challenging round at either one of two Indio courses; EAGLE FALLS Course adjacent to Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino or TERRA LAGO agjacent to the WorldMark Timeshare Resort in Indio.

The city of La Quinta has spared no expense when designing their public course, SILVER ROCK. It is a gem of a course with views and surrounding landscapes that will make it hard to concentrate on the dificult play at hand. As one of the longer courses in the desert, it caters to several levels of play and truly gives the seasoned golfer a memorable round.

There are numerous semi private and private Country Club golf courses throughout the Palm Springs Desert resorts area. Many offering play privileges to select Resorts and Hotels. Every Hotel, Resort and Timeshare has a complete list of courses with pricing and availability. Check with your concierge for specific details.

There are a multitude of first class venues throughout the Palm Springs-Desert Resorts area offering everything from big name headliner entertainment to small, sophisticated cultural performances. From the wonderfully intimate Annenburg Theater adjacent to the Palm Springs Museum of Art to the high energy, star studded main stage at Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino you will certainly find a venue and show to suite your taste any time of the year!

Follow BeHereTV for up to the minute performance and live entertainment information.

Mz. Nichols shares with us the history and evolution of the HEATHER JAMES FINE ART Gallery in Palm Desert and it’s Blue chip stable of artists.

Her interview continues with her perspective of the art and gallery landscape from museum quality fine art at HEATHER JAMES GALLERY to the hip and trendy working artist enclave in Palm Springs known as the BACKSTREET ART DISTRICT.

She discusses new as well as established galleries throughout the desert, one being ROYAL PROJECTS GALLERY in Indian Wells who’s owner, Rick Royal opened his gallery in 2008 with a cutting edge neon show.

The IMAGO GALLERY in Palm Desert has been a prominent art address for years and represents the stunning glass work of Dale Chihuly and Ginny Ruffner among many others.

Along Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs you will find many art as well as Mid Century Modern furniture and collectible galleries.

As the desert resorts area becomes more and more a year round community for young families and continues to be a thriving second home address to the ultra rich, the art world sees the Greater Palm Springs area as a great stage for new and emerging artists as well as the “blue chip” collectibles like Degas, Warhol, Monet and Chagal.

From Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs to El Paseo in Palm Desert, from public art to discrete tucked away private working studios throughout the desert, the art scene in the Coachella Valley is thriving. A great place for cultural inspiration and the perfect place to comfortably browse and find the next piece for your collection.

Greet the sun or bid it farewell as you drift in beautiful desert skies.

Hot air ballooning in the desert is one of the most peaceful experiences you could possibly hope for. While floating effortlessly in one of our colorful hot air  balloons, you will view breathtaking  vistas of some of the most picturesque landscapes in California. Vineyards, polo fields, world famous golf courses, and exotic orchards are just a few of the unbelievable sights you will experience.  Your flight direction is determined by the breeze.

Your pilot will give a guided tour as well as serving your champagne and cookies, while you are in the air. During the first few minutes, you will receive a guided tour of the valley.  Your picture will be captured during the celebration and attached to your flight certificate before your leave. 

BALLOON ABOVE THE DESERT

83232 E   44th  Ave  Indio
Call for reservations:   760   247-0410