By Crystal Harrell
Agua Caliente Casinos, the award-winning premier destination for entertainment in the Coachella Valley, is proud to present the 9th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Fiesta, taking place on Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19, 2023, in Cathedral City.
Join in on the fun for three days of activities for the whole family that include balloon tether rides, nighttime balloon glows, romantic dinners, live musical entertainment, gourmet food trucks, a Kids’ Zone, Art Show, an outdoor market, family-friendly activities, and so much more. Fantasy Balloon Flights is family-owned and operated and will be celebrating its 41st Anniversary of operating hot air balloon events and services.
The official kick-off begins with the balloon launch from Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage on Friday, November 17, at sunrise. The Food Truck Fiesta takes place Friday evening and the following, Saturday, November 18, at the Cathedral City Amphitheater. The event will feature food Trucks, Beer and Wine Garden, Bounce Houses, and live Music. On Friday at 4 PM, Mick Adams & The Stones will play in tribute to the Rolling Stones. The fiesta will feature a dozen food truck vendors from all over Southern California, a beer garden, tethered balloon rides, a car show, kid zones, live music, and more.
Grooves at the Westin with Mindi Abair and DW3 Balloon Glow will take place from 7 PM to 10 PM at 71333 Dinah Shore Dr, Rancho Mirage. Get ready to be blown away as the smooth Lady of Saxophone, Mindi Abair, makes her debut at The Westin Rancho Mirage. This talented artist has a career spanning seven albums, collaborations, GRAMMY® nominations, and unforgettable performances. Joining her will be Grammy Nominated vocal group DW3. They are today’s hardest-working band in the soul business. With their award-winning talent and incredible energy, they’ll have you dancing and romancing all night long.
“I think this event is so unique to the desert. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and gives you a chance to see the Coachella Valley from a completely different perspective,” stated Cathedral City resident Michael Santori.
The Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival has been voted the 6th best balloon festival in the world by U.S. news.com. Though the festival is newer than others at less than 10 years-old, the 2021 iteration of this spectacle saw thousands of attendees and nearly 30 hot air balloons in mid-November. This year, spectators can look forward to gourmet food trucks, tethered rides, night glows, music performances, family-friendly activities and more. All hot air balloon festival activities are weather, FAA, and government permitting.
To learn more about the 9th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Fiesta, visit the official website at hotairballoonfest.com.
