CV Weekly: Top Gun Jet Lands at Palm Springs Air Museum & America's 250th Celebrated Across the Valley
✨ Last Week Around the Valley
🇺🇸 America's 250th: The Valley Celebrated in Style
The Coachella Valley went all-out for the nation's semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the United States — with festivities stretching across every corner of the desert. Palm Springs hosted a three-day "All-American Fourth of July Celebration" featuring VillageFest activities, a Dive-In Movie Night screening of The Sandlot at the Palm Springs Swim Center, a Palm Springs Power baseball game, and a fireworks spectacular at Sunrise Park. Indio dazzled crowds at the Empire Polo Club with its Third Annual Independence Day Bash, headlined by a patriotic drone show alongside live entertainment and family fun. Communities across the Valley — including Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage — held their own fireworks displays and community festivals to mark the historic milestone.
✈️ Top Gun Jet Lands at Palm Springs Air Museum
Aviation fans, this one's for you! The Palm Springs Air Museum has welcomed a truly one-of-a-kind addition to its collection: a Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet (BuNo 165536) that starred in Top Gun: Maverick and served as a Blue Angels demonstration jet. On long-term loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum, this is the first Blue Angels Super Hornet on permanent public display outside a military installation — and it's right here in the desert. A formal dedication ceremony is planned for November 7, 2026, coinciding with the museum's 30th anniversary. The museum also continues to display the "Darkstar" movie prop from the same film.
⛪ Desert Cities Baptist Church Marks 50 Years
On July 19, 2026, Desert Cities Baptist Church in Palm Desert celebrated its 50th anniversary with a commemorative service, a church history video, the dedication of the congregation's first bronze bell, and a community lunch. Palm Desert Mayor Evan Trubee attended to honor the church's five decades of ministry and service to the Coachella Valley community.
🎵 Goo Goo Dolls Kick Off Summer Tour in Rancho Mirage
The Goo Goo Dolls brought their Summer 2026 U.S. tour to the Coachella Valley, performing at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage on July 21. The show marked the launch of their 25-city national run — a great way to kick off summer entertainment in the desert!
📰 More Valley News
- Palm Springs Police Chief Retirement: Chief Andy Mills announced his retirement effective September 5, 2026, after a remarkable 48-year law enforcement career. (Palm Springs Post)
- Augustine Casino 24th Anniversary: The Augustine Casino celebrated 24 years, with a local resident winning a jackpot exceeding $300,000 during the festivities.
- Indio Vacant Property Ordinance: The City of Indio passed a new ordinance requiring owners of vacant commercial properties to register and maintain their buildings — a step toward reducing blight in the community.
- Infrastructure Updates: La Quinta is nearing completion of major repaving projects, while Palm Springs began a library renovation with construction on Sunrise Way starting July 20.
📅 Coming Up This Week
There's plenty happening across the Valley this week — from comedy and concerts to farmers markets and community gatherings. Here are some highlights:
🎤 Special Events (July 20–26)
Goo Goo Dolls — Tuesday, July 21 at 8:00 PM
The Show at Agua Caliente Casino, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
See event details →
Next Stop Comedy at Indio Brewing — Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 PM
Indio Brewing, 82900 Avenue 42, Unit G111, Indio
Tickets on Eventbrite →
Bill Burr Live — Friday, July 24 at 8:00 PM
The Show at Agua Caliente Casino, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
See event details →
Cruisin' Back 2 School Picnic — Saturday, July 25 at 9:00 AM
Miles Park, 82422 Miles Ave, Indio
See event details →
Cole Swindell — Saturday, July 25 at 8:00 PM
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Pkwy, Indio
See event details →
Coachella Valley Card Show — Saturday, July 25 at 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Family YMCA of the Desert, 43930 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert
See event details →
🔄 Recurring Weekly Favorites
- Palm Springs VillageFest — Every Thursday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Palm Canyon Drive, Downtown Palm Springs | villagefest.org
- Free Thursday Nights at Palm Springs Art Museum — Every Thursday, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | 101 Museum Dr, Palm Springs | psmuseum.org
- Indian Wells Certified Farmers Market — Every Thursday, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 44-175 Washington St, Indian Wells
- Rancho Mirage Certified Farmers Market — Every Friday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Rancho Mirage Community Park, 71-560 San Jacinto Dr
- Indio Night Market — Every Friday | Indio
- Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market — Every Saturday, 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Palm Springs Pavilion, 401 S Pavilion Way
- La Quinta Summer Golf Experience — Every Saturday, 7:30 AM | La Quinta
- La Quinta Certified Farmers Market — Every Sunday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 78100 Main St, La Quinta
- Tastes & Sounds of Cathedral City — Every Tuesday, 5:00 PM | Cathedral City Community Amphitheater
- Open Mic Mondays at The Roost Lounge — Every Monday, 6:00 PM | Cathedral City
- Karaoke Tuesdays at The Roost Lounge — Every Tuesday | Cathedral City
- Happy Hour at IW Live — Tue–Sat, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Indian Wells Resort Hotel
- Concerts in the Park — Palm Desert — Every Thursday | Palm Desert
📆 View the full events calendar at desertbiz.net/events →
🏪 Newly Added to Our Directory
These local businesses recently added their listings to Desert Biz Connect. Whether you're looking for a new service provider or just want to support local, check them out!
Tax Fluential Solutions — Accounting & Tax Services | Indio
Tax Fluential Solutions recently added their listing to our directory. Looking for accounting and tax services in the East Valley? Visit their website →
Hammer 'N Nails — Home Services | Palm Springs
Hammer 'N Nails recently added their listing to Desert Biz Connect. Looking for home services in Palm Springs? Find them in our directory →
Millers Glass Tinting Solutions, Inc — Construction & Contractors | Palm Springs
Millers Glass Tinting Solutions recently added their listing to our directory. Looking for glass tinting or contractor services? Find them in our directory →
Desert Elite Implant Institute — Dental Services | Palm Desert
Desert Elite Implant Institute recently added their listing to Desert Biz Connect. Looking for dental implant services in Palm Desert? Visit their website →
Diamond Demolition — Construction & Contractors | Palm Springs
Diamond Demolition recently added their listing to our directory. Looking for demolition or contractor services in the Palm Springs area? Find them in our directory →
🔍 Explore all local businesses at desertbiz.net/directory →
🆕 New to the Valley
Exciting things are coming to the Coachella Valley! Here's what's on the horizon for new business openings confirmed through local chambers of commerce:
Shake Shack — La Quinta (Opening August 12, 2026)
The beloved burger chain is coming to 78772 Highway 111 in La Quinta's One Eleven Center, in a newly developed pad alongside Cava. The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce has a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for August 12 at 9:00 AM. Mark your calendars!
Source: Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
Art for All — Old Town Artisan Studios, La Quinta (Opening September 1, 2026)
A new arts-focused business is coming to Old Town La Quinta, with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration planned for September 1, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Source: Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce Events
Know of a new business opening in the Valley? We'd love to feature it! Let us know at desertbiz.net/submit →
🤝 Ways to Serve the Community
Looking to give back this summer? Several Coachella Valley organizations are actively welcoming volunteers. Here's how you can get involved:
FIND Food Bank — Indio
According to their website, FIND Food Bank is currently welcoming volunteers for warehouse sorting, community food distribution, and homebound delivery services. Opportunities are available for adults and teens (ages 14+). Sign up through their Volunteer Hub at findfoodbank.org →
Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC) — Indio
According to their website, CVHC is currently welcoming volunteers to tutor youth, provide office support, teach computer skills, and assist with affordable housing construction. No formal experience required. Learn more and apply at cvhc.org/volunteer →
Mission Hospice — Rancho Mirage
According to their listings, Mission Hospice is currently welcoming volunteers for patient companionship, caregiver relief, errands, and specialized programs for veterans and students. Contact them at (760) 636-4488 or explore opportunities at Idealist →
Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (CVCC)
According to their website, CVCC is currently welcoming volunteers for land stewardship projects including seasonal cleanups, invasive species removal, and field monitoring. Contact them to sign up at cvmshcp.org/volunteering →
📬 Stay Connected with CV Weekly
CV Weekly is your community roundup, published every Monday to keep you in the loop on what's happening across the Coachella Valley. Here's how to stay connected:
- 📧 Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates delivered to your inbox: desertbiz.net/newsletter →
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Thank you for being part of the Desert Biz Connect community. See you next Monday! 🌵☀️
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