CV Weekly: The Dinah Turns 35, Firebirds Open, Tramway Returns & New Valley Businesses

✨ Last Week Around the Valley

October arrived with a burst of energy across the Coachella Valley — from a landmark LGBTQ+ festival to championship golf, a beloved tramway returning from maintenance, and a community walk that shattered its fundraising goal. Here's a look at what made headlines this past week.

🏳️‍🌈 The Dinah Celebrates 35 Years in Palm Springs

The world's largest and longest-running music festival for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary individuals wrapped up its 35th anniversary edition (September 30 – October 4) in Palm Springs. Under new ownership — BellaRose Productions, led by Bella Barkow and Rose Garcia — the festival carried on its legacy with headlining performances by Hayley Kiyoko and Da Brat, comedy nights, and signature pool parties at the Hilton Palm Springs and Hotel Zoso. Thousands of attendees filled the Arenas District throughout the long weekend. Read more →

⛳ Reagan Zibilski Wins Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells

The 2026 Epson Tour Championship concluded October 1–4 at the Indian Wells Golf Resort, with Reagan Zibilski staging a remarkable comeback — overcoming a four-shot deficit in the final round to win by one stroke with a 15-under total of 269. The tournament awarded 15 LPGA Tour cards to the top finishers in the "Race for the Card" standings. Full results →

🏒 Firebirds Open Fifth Season at Acrisure Arena

The Coachella Valley Firebirds kicked off their fifth AHL season on October 2 at Acrisure Arena, falling to the Ontario Reign 6-5 in overtime in a thrilling opener. New captain John Hayden scored in the first period, and J.R. Avon netted two goals for the Firebirds. The team's home schedule continues through the fall — check the schedule for upcoming home games.

🚡 Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Is Back!

After its annual maintenance closure (September 8 – October 4), the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway reopened today, Monday, October 5, with the first tram departing at 10:00 a.m. This year's maintenance included rebuilding the carriage on cabin two and annual servicing of the Swiss-made control systems. Fall and winter hours are now in effect — remember, it's 30–40 degrees cooler at the 8,516-foot Mountain Station! Plan your visit →

🎀 Paint El Paseo Pink Raises $210,000+ for Cancer Care

The Desert Cancer Foundation's 20th Annual Paint El Paseo Pink walk took place October 10 at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert, surpassing its $200,000 fundraising goal. Since its founding, the Desert Cancer Foundation has provided over $121 million in value for cancer care to more than 9,050 local residents. Learn more →

📅 Coming Up This Week

There's plenty happening across the valley this week — from a major music festival to beloved weekly traditions. Here are some highlights:

• 
  Head Trip Music Festival — Saturday, October 10, 3:00 PM
  
  Empire Polo Club, 81800 Avenue 51, Indio
  
  A major music event at the iconic polo grounds. Details →
  


• 
  Yum Food Fest & Night Market — October 10–11, 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  
  The Shops at Palm Desert
  
  The 6th annual international food festival with live entertainment, artisan vendors, and a beer garden. Tickets $7 online / $10 at door; free for kids 12 & under, veterans, first responders, and seniors. Get tickets →
  


• 
  Palm Springs VillageFest — Every Thursday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  
  Palm Canyon Drive, Downtown Palm Springs
  
  The beloved weekly street fair with vendors, food, and live music. villagefest.org →
  


• 
  Free Thursday Nights at Palm Springs Art Museum — Every Thursday, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  
  101 Museum Dr, Palm Springs
  
  Free admission every Thursday evening. psmuseum.org →
  


• 
  Concerts in the Park — Palm Desert — Every Thursday, 7:00 PM
  
  Palm Desert Civic Center Park, 43900 San Pablo Ave
  
  Free outdoor concerts in the park.
  


• 
  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, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  
  Riverside County Fairgrounds, Indio
  


• 
  Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market — Every Saturday, 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  
  Palm Springs Pavilion, 401 S Pavilion Way
  


• 
  The Street Fair at College of the Desert — Every Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  
  College of the Desert, 43500 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert
  
  The popular seasonal street fair is back for the October–May season!
  


• 
  La Quinta Certified Farmers Market — Every Sunday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  
  78100 Main St, La Quinta
  

📆 View the full Coachella Valley events calendar →

🏪 Newly Added to Our Directory

These local businesses recently added their listings to Desert Biz Connect. If you're looking for services in the valley, check them out!

• 
  Tax Fluential Solutions — Accounting & Tax Services, Indio
  
  Tax Fluential Solutions recently added their listing to our directory. taxfluential.com →
  


• 
  Hammer 'N Nails — Home Services, Palm Springs
  
  Looking for home services in Palm Springs? Hammer 'N Nails is now listed on Desert Biz Connect.
  


• 
  Millers Glass Tinting Solutions, Inc — Construction & Contractors, Palm Springs
  
  Millers Glass Tinting Solutions recently added their listing to our directory.
  


• 
  Desert Elite Implant Institute — Dental Services, Palm Desert
  
  Looking for dental care in Palm Desert? Desert Elite Implant Institute is now listed on Desert Biz Connect. deserteliteimplantinstitute.com →
  


• 
  Diamond Demolition — Construction & Contractors, Palm Springs
  
  Diamond Demolition recently added their listing to our directory.
  

🔍 Browse the full Desert Biz Connect directory →

🆕 New to the Valley

The Coachella Valley continues to welcome new businesses and services. Here's what's opening up across the region this month, confirmed via local chambers of commerce:

• 
  Luke Bennett Home — Palm Springs
  
  A new home goods and design boutique opened at 333 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Unit 104-A in The Amado Center, with a ribbon cutting on October 9. Palm Springs Chamber →
  


• 
  Walter Clark Legal Group — Indio Office — Indio
  
  The established legal firm celebrated the grand opening of its new Indio office at 46900 Monroe Street, Suite 401D, with a GCVCC ribbon cutting on October 7. GCVCC →
  


• 
  Still Waters Hospice — La Quinta
  
  A new hospice care provider is opening at 78150 Calle Tampico, Suite 205B, La Quinta, with a ribbon cutting on October 15. GCVCC →
  


• 
  Party City inside Staples — La Quinta
  
  A new Party City location is opening inside the Staples store at 78680 Highway 111, La Quinta, with a ribbon cutting on October 16. GCVCC →
  


• 
  Benjamin Franklin Plumbing — Palm Desert
  
  A new plumbing service provider celebrated its grand opening with a Palm Desert Area Chamber ribbon cutting on October 6. Palm Desert Chamber →
  


• 
  Nothing Bundt Cakes — Palm Springs
  
  The beloved bakery chain is opening a new location at 5200 E. Ramon Road, Suite G6, Palm Springs, with a ribbon cutting on October 19. Palm Springs Chamber →
  

Know of a new business in the Valley? Let us know at desertbiz.net/submit!

🤝 Ways to Serve the Community

Looking to give back this fall? Several Coachella Valley organizations are actively welcoming volunteers right now:

• 
  FIND Food Bank
  
  According to their website, FIND Food Bank is currently welcoming volunteers for warehouse sorting, food distribution, and homebound delivery driving. Roles are available for teens (14+) and adults (18+). Contact Juan Perez at [email protected] or 760-542-2176 ext. 132. Learn more →
  


• 
  Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC)
  
  According to their website, CVHC is currently welcoming volunteers to tutor youth after school, assist with office work, and support housing construction projects — no formal experience required. Apply to volunteer →
  


• 
  Animal Samaritans
  
  According to their website, Animal Samaritans is currently welcoming volunteers (18+) for animal shelter help, dog walking, cat cuddling, foster care, special events, and their Highway Heroes animal transport program. Apply to volunteer →
  


• 
  Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert
  
  According to their website, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert is actively recruiting mentors — with two dozen children currently waiting to be matched. Site-based programs are available in Cathedral City, Coachella, Indio, La Quinta, Mecca, and Palm Springs. Commitment is approximately 4–8 hours per month. Become a Big →
  


• 
  Martha's Village & Kitchen — Thanksgiving 5K
  
  Martha's Village & Kitchen is preparing for their 20th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K on November 26, 2026, in Palm Desert. According to their event page, volunteer opportunities are available for the race. If you're interested in getting involved, visit their registration site to explore current volunteer roles. Volunteer for the 5K →
  

📬 Stay Connected with CV Weekly

CV Weekly is your community roundup for the Coachella Valley — delivered every Monday to keep you in the loop on local happenings, new businesses, events, and ways to get involved.

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Have a story tip, community announcement, or business news to share? Reach out — we'd love to feature it in next week's edition. Together, we keep the Coachella Valley connected. 🌵