Bernie Sanders' Supporters Holding 'Berniechella'

COACHELLA, CA- Proving once again his reach to a young voter demographic, Bernie Sanders supporters plan to converge on the town of Coachella Thursday and Friday, kicking off the unofficial Bernie Sanders for President Block Party– otherwise known as "Berniechella."

The event, which runs from 5 p.m. through midnight both Thursday and Friday, is a spin on the nearby Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and has its own slate of live music performances scheduled. And also like the music festival, live art installations and a beer garden will be on tap, organizers say.

Though the Coachella festival known to the world actually takes place in the town of Indio, the block party is planned for Coachella proper-- along Grapefruit Boulevard and Vine Street, near Coachella City Hall. Organizers say Ozomatli, Zoe Kravitz, Richard Montoya, Sherpard Fairey and Alex Ebert will perform. It is free.

Sanders is not scheduled to attend. Instead, he's out campaigning on the other side of the nation, in Pennsylvania. However, he did make a stop last weekend at Coachella, in the form of a taped announcement that introduced hip-hop/rappers Run the Jewels.

Riverside County Sheriffs Department officials tell Patch that the group putting on the block party has contracted several deputies to help with the event.

The second weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival kicks off Friday.