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Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 6.A
Meeting Date: October 26, 2022
From: Ryan Hunt, Communications and Events Manager
Title: Gift of Drone Show
City Council
RECOMMENDATION:
To accept a gift in the amount of $50,000 from Grizzly Entertainment for a drone light show at the Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival.
BACKGROUND:
In spring 2022, Communications & Events was contacted by Grizzly Entertainment to offer a drone show in exchange for the city receiving the show as a gift valued at $50,000. The 200 -drone unit light show would take place at the Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival on Friday, Nov ember 18, 2022. The purpose of the donation would be for the benefit of the public’s entertainment and to enhance the quality of programming for the Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival.
DISCUSSION:
The 8th annual Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival, named one of the best balloon festivals in the world by U.S. News & World Report, continues to be one of the most popular fall events in the Coachella Valley.
The drone show would be located above the 13.5 acres across from the Agua Caliente Casino in Cathedral City. This is the location where the city has had fireworks displayed in the past for previous events. We will need to use either citi zens on patrol or police officers to control access into the area during rehearsal (Nov ember 16-17), as well as the actual show on Friday, Nov ember 18, 2022. The drones have minimal noise, especially in comparison to fireworks, and Grizzly Entertainment wi ll list the city and Fantasy Balloon Flights, our third -party contractor, as additional insured entities for coverage during the show.
The show lasts 10 minutes and has been a popular addition at many events around the globe. Grizzly Entertainment will be responsible for receiving all permits and approvals from the Palm Springs International Airport, as this is in the flight path for airplanes landing or taking off at the airport.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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With t he City accepting the gift from Grizzly Entertainment in the amount of $50,000 , there will be departmental in-kind costs both during rehearsals and the show.
ATTACHMENTS:
Grizzly Donation Letter to Cathedral City 2022