Veterans Day 2022 in the Palm Springs area: A parade and other ways to honor those who served

Niki Kottmann, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·6 min read

Veterans Day is always a busy day in the desert. Coachella Valley residents show up in droves to support those who have served — and those who continue to serve — in the U.S. military, and this year is shaping up to be no different.

Below is The Desert Sun's complete guide to Veterans Day 2022 in the Coachella Valley and beyond.

Cathedral City

Desert Memorial Park Veterans Day Ceremony

What: Cathedral City will host its annual Veterans Day ceremony, set to include music and a presentation of colors by the Cathedral City High School JROTC. World War II veteran Dorothee Irwin, 100, of Palm Springs will also receive an award plaque at the event. California Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Vito Imbasciani, Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton, Cathedral City Mayor Pro Tem Rita Lamb, and Rancho Mirage councilmember Iris Smotrich are expected to speak.

When: 10 a.m. Friday

Where: Desert Memorial Park, 31-705 Da Vall Drive, Cathedral City

Cost: Free

More Info: tomswannhernandez@earthlink.net

Coachella

Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District Veterans Day Ceremony

What: The Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District, in partnership with Indio's American Legion Post 739, will commemorate Veterans Day with a ceremony held at the center of the cemetery. It will include a performance of the national anthem, a traditional Honor Guard salute, remarks by elected officials and a benediction.

When: 11 a.m. Friday

Where: The Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District, 82-925 Avenue 52, Coachella

Cost: Free

More Info: (760) 398-322

Coachella Crossroads Veterans Day Concert 

What: A Salute to Our Heroes is a special Veterans Day concert and charity fundraiser that will provide funds to the Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation, the Independence Fund, the California Highway Patrol Widows and Orphans Trust Fund, and the Riverside County Deputy Sheriff Relief Fund, among other organizations. It will take place at the Coachella Crossroads with performances by Blake Shelton, Granger Smith, MacKenzie Porter and DJ Du. Active U.S. military and veterans can receive a 25% discount on all ticket tiers purchased onsite at the Spotlight 29 Casino or Tortoise Rock Casino box offices.

When: 6 p.m. Friday

Where: Coachella Crossroads, 46-605 Dillon Road, Coachella

Cost: Tickets start at $50

More Info: coachellacrossroads.com

Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast

What: The City of Coachella is inviting Coachella Valley veterans and their families to a free pancake breakfast honoring members of all branches of the military. The event will feature special guests such as the American Legion Post 739 and the Coachella Valley High School Choir, and will include the presentation of the Freedom Flags. Honored veterans will also offer a few words during the event, including Navy Veteran Rudy Gutierrez and 2nd Battalion 1st Marine William W. Collagan Jr.

When: 9 a.m. Saturday

Where: Coachella Veterans’ Memorial Park, 1500-1598 Fourth Street, Coachella

Cost: Free

More info: coachella.org

Desert Hot Springs

Desert Hot Springs Veterans Day Ceremony 

What: Fellow Desert Hot Springs residents will gather for a celebration of all Americans who have served.

When: 10-11 a.m. Friday

Where: Veterans Park, 10-101 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs

Cost: Free

More info: cityofdhs.org/event/veterans-day-ceremony-2022

Indian Wells

Indian Wells Veterans Day Ceremony

What: Indian Wells Mayor Dana Reed will open this ceremony paying respect to Americans who have served in the military. The event will also feature a speech by keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel Greg Sanders, musical entertainment and an invocation and benediction. No reservations are needed. Self park available on-site

When: 10-11 a.m. Friday

Where: Indian Wells City Hall, 44-950 Eldorado Drive, Indian Wells

Cost: Free

More info: tinyurl.com/indianwellsvetday

U.S. Navy veteran Robert Wayman sits along with other veterans during the annual Veterans Day recognition ceremony at city hall, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in La Quinta, Calif.
U.S. Navy veteran Robert Wayman sits along with other veterans during the annual Veterans Day recognition ceremony at city hall, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in La Quinta, Calif.

La Quinta

La Quinta’s Annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony

What: La Quinta’s annual Veterans Day ceremony honors those who have served in the U.S. military with a recognition by the mayor, members of City Council and various special guests. The ceremony will include a flyover by the Palm Springs Air Museum, performances by the La Quinta High School band and singer Doug Hassett, and the presentation of colors by Scouts BSA Troops 1701 and 451. Following the ceremony, attendees can walk to the Veterans Acknowledgement Monument on the La Quinta Civic Center Campus to see the recently added names of 17 La Quinta veterans.

Note: Parking available in south lot only.

When: 9-10 a.m. Friday

Where: Courtyard at City Hall, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta

Cost: Free

More info: laquintaca.gov/Veterans

The City of Palm Desert displays a Gratitude Wall for community members to sign a message for veterans at Civic Center Park on Nov. 9, 2021, in Palm Desert, Calif.
The City of Palm Desert displays a Gratitude Wall for community members to sign a message for veterans at Civic Center Park on Nov. 9, 2021, in Palm Desert, Calif.

Palm Desert

Veterans Day Celebration & Resource Expo 2022

What: The Palm Desert community will take some time to pause and honor the commitment and sacrifices of those who have served — and those who continue to serve — in the U.S. military. This event features opening remarks from City of Palm Desert representatives, as well as speeches by active duty and veteran military service members. A patriotic concert performed by the Heatwave Jazz Band will close the day’s celebration. Those who arrive early can chat with representatives from local community organizations at the Veterans' Resource Expo.

When: 11 a.m. Friday

Where: Civic Center Park, 43-900 San Pablo Avenue, Palm Desert

Cost: Free

More info: discoverpalmdesert.com/event

Palm Springs

25th Annual Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade

What: The Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade is one of about 60 selected nationwide as an official regional site for the observance of the holiday by the Veterans Day National Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The parade, which is one of the largest in the region, features military units, marching bands, veterans’ organizations and much more. The parade lasts approximately one hour and concludes with a post-parade patriotic concert and fireworks finale at the intersection of Amado Road and Palm Canyon Drive.

When: 3:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Downtown Palm Springs

Cost: Free

More info: psveteransday.com

A man waves during the Palm Springs Veterans Day parade, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Palm Springs, Calif.
A man waves during the Palm Springs Veterans Day parade, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Palm Springs, Calif.

Greater Coachella Valley

General Patton Memorial Museum Veterans Day Celebration

What: Interested in honoring veterans just beyond the Coachella Valley? Head to this ceremony at the former site of Camp Young (headquarters for the WWII Desert Training Center), 25 miles east of Indio. The event will feature an extensive program in front of the museum including a memorial tribute to General Patton sculptor Austin Deuel, a "welcome home" to the Sherman Tank and a ribbon cutting for the new Bailey Bridge donated by Bard Water District.

When: 11 a.m. Friday

Where: General Patton Memorial Museum, 62-510 Chiriaco Road, Chiriaco Summit

Cost: Free, but attendees are asked to RSVP at (760) 485-1576 or mchiriacor@aol.com.

More info: generalpattonmuseum.com

Desert Sun reporters Ani Gasparyan and Eliana Perez contributed to this report. 

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 10 events honoring Veterans Day in the greater Palm Springs area