2020
March 7th was the date for the FODM Wildflower Festival in the Palm Desert Civic Center Park. The event is one of the organizations biggest fundraisers. Prior to 2019, the festival was staged in the Monument's Visitor Center but as a result of the government shutdown last year the festival was moved to the city's Civic Center. Last year it drew a huge crowd but with COVID-19 concern growing the crowd was smaller 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.
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.
2022
Everyone was chomping at the bit to have a memorable in-person festival. Things went as planned until the morning of the event when we we awoke to this weather alert. What an ugly 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.
2023
After last years weather issues, we all hoped for a non-eventful festival this year. We got our wish - warm temperature, sunny sky, no wind and a good crowd.
Unfortunately, Dawn didn't join us at the bar this year.
