White Party celebrates 25th anniversary

For 25 years, the White Party has rocked Palm Springs, but, it’s not just fun and games.

“This is our last hoorah for the season,” Willie Rhine, general manager of Lulu, said.

The White Party excites local businesses just as much as it does party-goers.

“Lulu gets extremely busy for breakfast, lunch and dinner when they’re in town,” he said.

“The crowds that come in are amazing. We prepare all year. We get the crowds flowing in and out. The business it brings is great for us,” Jacqueline Jones of Luscious Couture said.

One of the most widely recognized gay events in the world, the White Party brings about 30 thousand people to the valley from all over the world.

“I used to be the district manager or Starbucks for 8 years. All the businesses really love this. The business we got for Starbucks was ridiculous,” Jones said.

More staff is also needed.

“We usually only have a few girls, we have six or seven on now,” she added.

“With that many people, we have to put full staff on all day long,” Rhine said.

“I am kind of getting a little nostalgic about it. I drive down the boulevard and see the places, my friends. People coming for 25 years and coming for the first time,” White Party founder Jeffrey Sanker said.