Splash House brings young crowds despite the heat

Just when things seem to traditionally slow down in the desert, it seems the “season” is getting increasingly longer, bringing a younger crowd with it.

The fourth annual Splash House Festival may soon join the ranks of other valley music festivals like Stagecoach and Coachella.

“Because there is a slow down and because we’ve got this great resort town, with amazing pools, we thought why not have an amazing pool party music festival in the summer,” co-founder Kelly McLean said.

The two-day music festival brings music lovers from across the country out to pools in Palm Springs.

“I missed the desert, which sounds ridiculous, but being in it and flying over it, I missed it,” said John Hanacek, who is visiting from Washington, D.C.

“Now, it’s starting to get that reboot of the Hollywood place to be when you want to get away,” said Claire Berkman, who is visiting from Los Angeles.

Hotels said this could not be a better way to liven up the slower summer months.

“On a weekend like this, our revenues will be up over 500 percent compared to last year,” Hilton Palm Springs general manager Aftad Dada said.

Founders hope the festival will continue to bring young people to the valley.

“I think a lot of people in town have been saying Palm Springs is going through a huge renaissance and that’s definitely the case,” McLean said.

And once visitors have a taste of the desert, founders said they’re sure to come back for more.

“Getting young people here during summer time is definitely possible, as we have proven. But you’ve gotta give them a reason to come back and music is a great reason,” McLean said.

While this weekend’s Splash House is sold out it won’t be the last one this summer.

The next festival will be August 8-9.