Save the date because on Nov. 17, the Food Truck Mash-Up rolls into the Coachella Valley as part of the fifth annual Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival.
This is the last stop on a nine-stop U.S. tour intended to bring “more food and fun to the community of the Coachella Valley,” said T.H. Waldman, senior manager of event marketing for Gannett.
Guests can expect an array of dishes provided by the most popular local food trucks, plus live music, outdoor activities and the chance to ride a hot air balloon (Instagram or it never happened!).
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The day-long mash-up will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday at Town Square Park in Cathedral City as part of the Hot Air Balloon Festival, which is scheduled for Nov. 16-18.
General admission for the mash-up is $5 online and $8 at the gate but free for Cathedral City residents so long as identification is provided. Admission to the mash-up includes entry to the hot air balloon festival, but food and beverages are not included in the admission fee.
All-access tickets, which are $30, include perks such as: 20 percent off any “High on Tacos” purchase; $5 off the kids’ zone, $1 off any beer or wine purchase; and access to reserved seating at the main stage, which will feature Hollywood U2 and other live bands.
The food truck event is organized by USA Today Network Events and The Desert Sun to to give the community a chance to connect. A total of 12 events are produced nationwide, with 100,000 attendees since the launch in 2012.
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Hot Air Balloon Festival
The Hot Air Balloon Festival spans three days of activities, including balloon tether rides, nighttime balloon glow (that’s when balloons inflate and light themselves in preparation for a festival), musical entertainment, gourmet food and a kids’ zone.
Activities vary on a daily basis, but here’s what they look like overall. For more details, visit the festival’s website.
Friday, Nov. 16
From 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., the Balloon Glow, Breakfast & Balloon Race takes place at the Big League Dreams Sports Park located at 33700 Date Palm Dr.
From 7 to 9:30 p.m., the Balloon Glow Concert and Swing Dance, featuring Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is happening at Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa, Peter Dye Driving Range,located at 71333 Dinah Shore Dr., Rancho Mirage.
Saturday, Nov. 17
From 6 to 8 a.m., a Saturday morning balloon launch (which includes balloon flights and tethered balloon rides) will occur at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa, Pete Dye Resort Golf Course, 18th Green, located at 71333 Dinah Shore Dr., Rancho Mirage.
From 7 to 11 a.m., tethered balloon rides also will be available in downtown Cathedral City, located at 68510 E. Palm Canyon Dr.
At 11 a.m., the Banana Balloon Candy Drop and kid’s zone kicks off. A giant banana balloon will be lowered to the ground and once it drops, kids can rush toward it to grab up to 10,000 pieces of candy provided by La Michoacana Dulceria.
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Food Truck Mash-Up takes place.
Additionally, free live performances with a surprise DJ will take place near the Festival Lawn from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday. Hollywood U2. one of the tribute bands slotted for the night. will perform to the legendary sounds of U2. Woodstock will sing songs performed by Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, David Crosby, Jimi Hendrix, Ian Anderson and Keith Moon.
Sunday, Nov. 18
At 6 a.m., balloons will be inflated. At 7 a.m., 35 balloons will fly over the Coachella Valley. The precise launch location will be announced soon. All balloon activities are weather and F.A.A. permitting.
If you go:
When: Food Truck Mash-Up is Nov. 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Town Square Park 68700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, Cathedral City
Tickets: General admission: $5 online or $8 at the door; all access: $30 for adults, $17 for youth ages 5 to 15; family general pack includes four tickets. Free admission for kids under five and Cathedral City residents providing proof of address. Purchase at: tickets.desertsun.com/e/food-truck-mash-up-2/tickets
Geraldine Estevez reports on a variety of topics for The Desert Sun. Story ideas? Reach her at (760) 218-2427 or Geraldine.Estevez@DesertSun.com. Follow her @TheWriteWoman.
