FODM: Wildflower Festival

2024

Once again, we spent the day bartending at the Beer & Wine tent during the Wildflower Festival. This year, the winds posed a challenge again. We had to close the entire festival a few hours early because winds and tents are not a good combination. There were conversations during the 'festival wrap-up' meeting about possibly changing the date to later in March since early generally Spring is the windiest time of the year. Nonetheless, the organization is dedicated to holding the annual event on the first weekend of March.

2023

Following the weather challenges of last year, we all wished for a smooth festival this time. Our wish came true with warm temperatures, sunny skies, no wind, and a great turnout.

Unfortunately, Dawn didn't join us at the bar this year.

2022

Everyone was eager to have a memorable in-person festival. Everything proceeded as expected until the morning of the event, when we woke up to a weather alert. What an unfortunate combination!

The multitude of tents and tables had been set up the previous night before the weather alert was issued. Friends volunteers gathered first thing in the morning at the Civic Center and tore down all the setups ( tables, chairs, vendor tables, signage, etc.) and then reassembled them in an area of the park protected from the wind.

Making things more complicated was the need to organize the vendor table inside the gym. Miraculously, the event almost started on time.

The 2020 Beer and Wine team was ready for the challenge. Fewer people but still fun.

2021

With the COVID pandemic in full stride, no social gatherings were allowed in California and the Wild Flower Festival turned into a series of Zoom Events.

2020

The FODM Wildflower Festival took place on March 7th at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park. This event is one of the organization's major fundraisers. Before 2019, the festival was held at the Monument's Visitor Center, but due to the government shutdown last year, it was relocated to the city's Civic Center. While it attracted a large crowd last year, concerns about COVID-19 resulted in a smaller turnout in 2020.

Dave and I volunteered to help set-up (6:00 am) and then to man the wine and beer tent from 10:00 - 4:00. A small army assembled at 5:45 am to set up all the tents and organize the booths.

It's strange to think that one of the big questions was whether the money handlers and bartenders should wear gloves. In the end everyone at the beer tent wore gloves. Looking back it was a wise decision.

The beer and wine tent did decent business. There was always a small crowded purchasing drinks. Dave, me and Dawn (Ada's daughter) played bartenders all day long. We had a fun time and the day went by fast.

Dawn (Ada's daughter) Dave and I played bartenders all day long. We had a fun time and the day went by fast.

After the event was over and the equipment and supplied loaded into the trucks, then volunteers were allowed to 'sample' the beer and wine.