Winds impact annual Wildflower Festival in Palm Desert
Friends of the Desert Mountains hosted their annual Wildflower Festival in Palm Desert. Hundreds of people were out enjoying the festival despite the strong winds that came through the valley Saturday afternoon.
“So far it’s been pretty windy couldn’t really get to enjoy much of it…I saw a lot of things flying away. But it’s a nice event and it’s great that the community can come together,” said Cheyenne Yanez.
The gusty winds caused the event to wrap up earlier than planned. “I have to make the decision on when to tear things down because tents can go flying and it’s the safety of everybody here in the park,” said Tammy Martin, the executive director of Friends of the Desert Mountains.
However, between the early morning drizzles and late afternoon winds, festival-goers enjoyed several hours of good weather and family fun. “All the families that have come out and let their kids roll up and down the grass and it was pet-friendly,” said Martin.
The event featured local vendors selling their goods, live music, food and activities. This year’s Wildflower Festival was hosted at Palm Desert Civic Center park for the first time and consequently, the turnout was triple that of last year’s according to organizers.
The non-profit group that annually hosts the event Friends of the Desert Mountains says they’re hoping to educate people on the importance of protecting our natural resources.
“We gotta think about the youth…they’re our next generation. So how are they going to learn if we don’t teach them?” said Martin.
Friends of the Desert Mountains offers guided hikes through wildflower areas in March. You can sign up and get more information here.
