Locals getting ready to work Desert Trip

Other than working as a receptionist at a local real estate agency, Donna Palivos says she wears a different hat around festival season. “I take vacation days, and it’s great fun to do something totally, totally different,” Palivos said. “One of the agents in my office is familiar with Goldenvoice, and she told me about it a few years ago, and I’ve never looked back. I just wait each year for them to come.” Since then, the Palm Desert resident worked at both Coachella and Stagecoach. But now, she said she’s ready to work Desert Trip thanks to Valley Music Travel, a company contracted through Goldenvoice to attract music lovers both near and far, to work at hotels, shuttles and on the grounds itself. Palivos said the job is a hit, not just because of the music, but with the salary and benefits. “They also give us a per diem for food, which is great,” Palivos said. “I mean, it’s nice especially since you can choose to spend it at the hotel you’re at, or you can choose to purchase food beforehand, and take it with you. Because for some of us, it’s a long day. My shift on Friday will be from 8 a.m. until as late as 10 p.m., whenever the last concert goers pick up their tickets.” Palivos said she expects about four dozen people to be working both weekends at hotels welcoming many across the valley. Goldenvoice said about 3,000 people in total will be working both weekends. Palivos said all Valley Music Travel employees will be meeting Thursday night at the La Quinta Resort for orientations to prepare for the upcoming festivals.