Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival Happening Saturday in Palm Desert

PALM DESERT, CA - Those awaiting spring can get a sneak preview of the wildflowers' bloom Saturday at the Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival, held in the mountains of Palm Desert.

The 9th annual festival will begin at 9 a.m. at the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, located off state Route 74 in Palm Desert.

The event is hosted by the Friends of the Desert Mountains, a nonprofit that organizes recreational nature programs such as guided hikes, trail maintenance and resource preservation.

Admission is free, but there is no on-site parking. Attendees will be shuttled to the festival from St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, located at 47535 state Route 74, with shuttles running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sand sculptors Kirk Rademaker and Rusty Croft, otherwise known as "The Sand Guys" from Travel Channel's "Sand Masters" began sculpting with 24 tons of sand Wednesday in anticipation of Saturday's event. The Sand Guys' creations will be on display and sculpting opportunities will be available for those in attendance. The festival will also feature an art show, mountain biking, live music, a kids' zone, a 5K trail run, raffles, and more.

– By City News Service.