Indio, California

==Arts and culture==

===Annual events===
[[File:Coachella 2014 sunset with balloon chain and Lightweaver.jpg|thumb|The festival grounds of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2014]]

Because of the numerous festivals and special events held annually in Indio, the Chamber of Commerce deemed Indio's official nickname to be "The City of Festivals".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://gcvcc.org/indio/ | title=GCV Indio Chamber of Commerce |author=<!--Not stated--> | date=October 15, 2018 | access-date=September 28, 2019}}</ref> Indio is considered the second County seat, the Riverside County Fairgrounds is a facility that hosts various events year round such as music concerts, 4x4 [[monster truck]] rallies, rodeos, and other special events.

Two major annual festivals are the Indio International Tamale Festival and the [[Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival]] and are held each February at the Riverside County Fairgrounds, located on Highway 111 in the heart of Indio. Since 1947, this festival has celebrated the [[Phoenix dactylifera|date]] fruit crop of the Coachella Valley. The Tamale Festival is held each December on the streets of Old Town Indio and holds one [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] as the largest tamale festival (120,000 in attendance, Dec. 2–3, 2000) and once held the record for the world's largest [[tamale]], [over {{convert|1|ft|m|sigfig=1}} in diameter and {{convert|40|ft|m|sigfig=3}} in length], created by Chef John Sedlar, but that record has since been surpassed.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indio.org/news/displaynews.htm?NewsID=369&TargetID=48,49,1 | title=Indio International Tamale Festival Coming Up December 2 & 3 | author=<!--Not stated--> | access-date=September 28, 2019 | archive-date=August 1, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801205120/https://www.indio.org/news/displaynews.htm?NewsID=369&TargetID=48,49,1 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1993, Paul Tollett, president of [[Anschutz Entertainment Group|Goldenvoice]], booked a [[Pearl Jam]] concert at the [[Empire Polo Club]] in Indio, and six years later, the [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]] was born.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013304180060 |title=Indio, Goldenvoice work closely in putting on Coachella |last=Peña |first=Xochitl |date=April 19, 2013 |access-date=April 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613083610/http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013304180060&nclick_check=1 |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2001, Coachella has been an annual event that has brought notable music acts to the desert, including: [[AC/DC]], [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Lady Gaga]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Ariana Grande]], [[Kanye West]], [[Radiohead]], [[Dr. Dre]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Pixies (band)|Pixies]], [[The Cure]], [[The White Stripes]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Tool (band)|Tool]], [[Beastie Boys]], [[Jane's Addiction]], [[Roger Waters]] and several others. Coachella extended the festival to three days in 2007. Organizers eliminated single-day tickets in 2010 and went to three-day passes only. The festival continues to draw large numbers of concertgoers to Indio and the Empire Polo Club, a venue that ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' said possessed a "lush beauty... that made the desert seem very far away."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/coachella-provided-an-antidote-to-woodstock-99s-hangover-19991011|title=Coachella Provided an Antidote to Woodstock 99's Hangover|last1=Mirkin|first1=Steven|last2=Goldman|first2=Marlene|date=October 11, 1999|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=Wenner Media|access-date= April 21, 2013}}</ref>

In May 2007, Goldenvoice, promoters of Coachella, started [[Stagecoach Festival|Stagecoach]], a three-day [[country music]] festival held the weekend following Coachella. Performers have included [[George Strait]], [[Kenny Chesney]], [[Eagles (band)|the Eagles]], [[Sugarland (band)|Sugarland]], [[Taylor Swift]], [[Carrie Underwood]], [[Luke Bryan]], [[Keith Urban]], and [[Kid Rock]].

In 2013, ''[[OC Weekly]]''{{'}}s Dave Barton described the arts scene in Indio with "seems to consist of [[Johnny Cash]] tributes, chalk art, [[Camel racing|camel]] and [[Ostrich#Races|ostrich races]], and [[Neil Simon]] revivals."<ref name="Barton 2013">{{cite web|first1=Dave |last1=Barton |url=http://www.ocweekly.com/arts/florian-ayala-fauna-art-magickian-6425518 |title=Florian-Ayala Fauna: Art Magickian |work=[[OC Weekly]] |publisher=OC Weekly, LP. |date=February 7, 2013 |access-date=August 17, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006210659/http://www.ocweekly.com/arts/florian-ayala-fauna-art-magickian-6425518 |archive-date=October 6, 2016 }}</ref>

[[File:Richards, Wood onstage Desert Trip 2016-63.jpg|thumb|right|The Rolling Stones performing at Desert Trip on October 7, 2016]]

In 2016, Goldenvoice brought together [[The Rolling Stones]], [[The Who]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Roger Waters]], and [[Neil Young]] for a 3-day mega concert known as [[Desert Trip]]. Desert Trip took place at the same venue as the Coachella Music Festival, over two three-day weekends, on October 7–9 and 14–16, 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.valleymusictravel.com/events/desert-trip/ | title=Desert Trip | access-date=September 10, 2016 | archive-date=September 9, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909092724/http://www.valleymusictravel.com/events/desert-trip/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> Despite Desert Trip becoming the highest-grossing music festival in history, Goldenvoice founder Paul Tollett has not announced any plans for a second Desert Trip, stating that it's not necessary for it to "turn into another franchise festival".<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-desert-trip-goldenvoice-20170512-story.html |title=No Desert Trip this year; Goldenvoice's Paul Tollett says it doesn't need to 'turn into another franchise festival' |last=Lewis |first=Randy |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=May 12, 2017| access-date=September 28, 2019}}</ref>

Indio is also the site of many other annual arts, culture, and entertainment festivals and events. Among these include:

* The Southwest Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club
* The Cabazon Indian National [[Pow wow]] at [[Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino]]
* The Palm Springs Kennel Club's Annual Dog Show and Rhythm at the Empire Polo Club
* The Heritage/Living History Festival at the Coachella Valley History Museum
* The [[Family Motor Coach Association]]'s Annual Western Region RV Rally at the Riverside County Fairgrounds
* The Sand Storm [[Lacrosse]] Festival at the Empire Polo Club
* [[Arbor Day]] Celebration
* Indio Tree Lighting Ceremony
* [[Dia de Los Muertos]] Celebration at the Coachella Valley History Museum
* Taste of Indio at Jackalope Ranch
* The California BBQ State Championship & Festival

===Points of interest===
[[File:Welcome to Indio, California.jpg|thumb|right|Welcome sign at Indio, California]]

The '''Coachella Valley History Museum''' Home, on Miles Avenue, has a two-acre campus, which currently includes the Smiley-Tyler House, built in 1926, the 1909 Schoolhouse, and the Date Museum dedicated to the history and development of the fruit (the only date museum in the world), plus gardens and archives preserving historical artifacts of the Coachella Valley. It also has the historic M.H. Whittier Ranch Tower, which is used for the only light art projection system in the Coachella Valley.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indio.org/news/displaynews.htm?NewsID=346&TargetID=48,49,1 | title=M. H. Whittier Ranch Water Tower Art Project System Unveiling | access-date=September 28, 2019 | archive-date=August 1, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801200859/https://www.indio.org/news/displaynews.htm?NewsID=346&TargetID=48,49,1 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The '''Indio Performing Arts Center''', known as IPAC, is located at the heart of downtown Indio at 45–175 Fargo Street to promote arts and entertainment for the community.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indio.org/your_government/city_manager/indio_performing_arts_center/default.htm | title=Indio Performing Arts Center | access-date=September 28, 2019 | archive-date=October 2, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002040149/https://www.indio.org/your_government/city_manager/indio_performing_arts_center/default.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref> IPAC has hosted live concerts, theater productions, dinner theater events and [[sing-along]]s, movie nights, fashion shows, arts and crafts fairs, music video productions, and other special events. IPAC is a 23,000 sq. ft. facility with a main hall, the Expo Hall; three separate theaters that are approximately 2,200 sq. ft. each: Village Theatre, Cabaret Theatre, and the Old Towne Playhouse. Desert TheatreWorks occupies the facility, which has produced more than 50 plays and musicals, 8 children's musicals and more than 20 special events, making them one of the Coachella Valley's leading producers of theatre and educational programming for the performing arts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dtworks.org/about-dtw.html |title=About DTW |website=Desert TheatreWorks |access-date=September 28, 2019 |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002040145/http://www.dtworks.org/about-dtw.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[College of the Desert]] also has a film class in the Village Theatre during the school year.

'''The Coachella Valley Art Center''' is located at 45140 Towne Street in downtown Indio. It hosts a variety of art exhibits, workshops, and special events throughout the year and includes a main gallery, project spaces, classrooms, a glass studio, performance space, and artist studios.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.coachellavalleyartcenter.org/home | title=Home – Coachella Valley Art Center | access-date=September 28, 2019 | archive-date=October 2, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002040137/http://www.coachellavalleyartcenter.org/home | url-status=dead }}</ref> The center has hosted local and international artists, and been a venue for art events and live performances.

From January to March each year, [[Polo (sport)|polo]] season is in full effect at the Eldorado Polo Club and the [[Empire Polo Club]]. [[Tailgate party|Tailgating]], food vendors, picnics, and great polo games are a common sight at these family-friendly Sunday events.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://empirepolo.com/for-spectators/ | title=For Spectators – Empire Polo Club | access-date=September 28, 2019 | archive-date=October 2, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002040133/https://empirepolo.com/for-spectators/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Beautiful Golf Course in Indio, CA - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|One of the many golf courses in Indio, California]]

Golfing is another main attraction that brings people from far and wide to Indio and surrounding cities, with the Coachella Valley housing approximately 28 percent of all California's golf courses.<ref name="Strege">{{cite web| url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/california-how-to-reconcile-a |title=California: How to reconcile a drought with 124 desert golf courses |last=Strege |first=John| date=April 29, 2014| access-date=September 28, 2019|website=Golf Digest}}</ref> Golf course development in the desert became a huge phenomenon in the 1950s, with a golf course opening approximately every 100 days.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/travel/2014/10/07/coachella-valley-golf-history/16881441/ |title=Short history of golf in the Coachella Valley |author=<!--Not Stated--> |date=October 7, 2014 |access-date=September 28, 2019| website=The Desert Sun}}</ref> During the winter months, [[country club]]s with golf courses attract dozens of vacationers each year. Today, there are more than 13 golf courses located in Indio and 124 golf courses in the entire Coachella Valley.<ref name="Strege"/> The City of Indio, in particular, owns the only night-lighted golf course in the Coachella Valley – the Lights at Indio Golf Course.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.indiogolf.com/home/ |title=The Lights at Indio Golf Course |access-date=September 28, 2019}}</ref>

Casinos are also a point of interest in Indio that draw a large crowd. [[Fantasy Springs Resort Casino]] is owned by the [[Cabazon Band of Mission Indians]], whose tribal headquarters are also located in Indio. The casino opened in 2004 and includes a hotel, bowling center, golf course, and special events center that acts as a concert venue.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.fantasyspringsresort.com/ |title=Fantasy Springs Resort Casino | access-date= September 28, 2019}}</ref> The Fantasy Springs special events center has hosted musicians as big as [[The Beach Boys]], [[John Legend]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Stevie Nicks]], and [[Kelly Clarkson]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/fantasysprings/albums/page1 |title=Fantasy Springs Photo Album | access-date=September 28, 2019}}</ref>

===Old Town Historic Mural Program===
In the fall of 1996, the Indio Chamber of Commerce formed a committee to develop a Historic Mural Project to help revitalize the local economy at the time of the statewide economic recession. Several communities have benefited from similar programs, such as [[Chemainus, British Columbia|Chemainus, Canada]]; [[El Paso, Texas]]; and [[Eureka, California|Eureka]], [[Bishop, California|Bishop]], [[Needles, California|Needles]], & [[Twentynine Palms, California|29 Palms]] in California, as well the famous [[Chicano Park]] mural to commemorate Hispanic-American life in Barrio Logan, [[San Diego]] in the late 1970s.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}}

It began with a suggestion to start a mural project first brought to the city by David Hernandez, a former Indio city council member, after he visited Chemainus. Very little happened with this concept until 1996, when the Riverside County National Date Festival's executive director [[Bruce Latta]] and commissioned artist [[Bill Weber]] of San Francisco to paint a mural of the [[Taj Mahal]] on the ''Taj Mahal'' (''Garden of Allah'') building at the fairgrounds. At the same time, local businessman Bruce Clark, who was instrumental in promoting Historic [[U.S. Route 99]] (Indio Blvd.) to its former status as the ''Main Street of California''. He maintains a website on Historic Route 99.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiocaroute99.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204023132/http://www.indiocaroute99.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/ |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |title=Welcome to Indio, California |access-date=December 23, 2020}}</ref> He brought the mural idea forward again after seeing the success of a similar local program in 29 Palms. When Clark presented the idea to the chamber board of directors, the idea was immediately recognized as something that could help the city's economy by encouraging tourism. Indio now has ten murals about the city on the sides of various buildings in Old Town and on a water reservoir tank on Monroe Street.