Borrego Sun - Since 1949

Mark those calendars folks, for the 57th annual Borrego Days Desert Festival on Oct. 21 and 22.

It is time to begin the season here in Borrego Springs, and what better way to do it at with the highly-anticipated event of the season.

"Borrego Days 57 will be another exciting and fun-filled weekend for the entire family! The Chamber is proud to produce and manage this event with the help of the many volunteers that contribute so much to the festival's success, we can't thank them enough," Chamber Executive Director Françoise Rhodes said.

And despite the absence of the very missed parade, do not worry, as the Borrego Days volunteers who have donated their time and continuous hard work to make sure the Festival goes on as planned and is a great success for all, have a ton of fun and new things to look forward to in store.

Cal Fire will lead the way down Palm Canyon Drive with sirens blaring prior to the singing of the National Anthem sung byRobin Young at Christmas Circle.

Then, with weather permitting, look to the sky to enjoy the exciting flyover that will circle above Palm Canyon Drive and Christmas Circle.

At Christmas Circle, attendees can expect live entertainment, an expanded kids zone, "Shine & Show" vehicle gathering with awards, the ever so popular adult beer garden, vendors of all types, pottery, art, shopping, food trucks, dancing and overall family fun. Applications for vendors are still coming in, so stay tuned! So that all are comfortable, vendors will be spread out a bit more so that there is plenty of room to shop, chat, learn and eat, Rhodes noted.

There is no entry fee for the "Shine & Show" Car/Vehicle Show. If it needs a drivers license to operate, then you can show it. No golf carts. Entries must be parked in the designated location by 9:30 a.m. Saturday Oct. 21. There will be a variety of awards for the show – from Fan Favorite, Mayor's Choice, Supervisor's Special and Firefighter's Favorite, which will be announced at 2 p.m.

All streets around the Circle will be open. The only area that will be closed off is the immediate parking spaces around the Circle.

Be sure to mark those calendars for the FREE Borrego Days Desert Festival on Saturday Oct. 21, continuing on Sunday Oct. 22. So don't miss out!

If anyone is interested in taking part in this year's Borrego Days Festival is encouraged to sign up to be a volunteer. Email borregochamberdirector@gmail.com or call the Chamber at 760-767-5555.

Below is a Borrego Days timeline. Please note, this is NOT a final timeline and is subject to change. For updates, visit the Borrego Days website at http://www.borregodays.com.

Saturday – Oct. 21

9:35 a.m. Cal Fire drives down Palm Canyon Drive to welcome all to Borrego and Christmas Circle, kicking off Borrego Days 57!

9:45 a.m. National Anthem sung at Christmas Circle by Robin Young

9:50 a.m. – 10 a.m. Look to the skies for the Festivals annual multi-plane flyover down Palm Canyon and over Christmas Circle – Flyover participants will be announced.

Borrego Days is officially open!

10 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Ceremony: Introducing Cal Fire to Borrego Springs

10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Local favorite Soul Frenzi performs. (Back on Stage at 3:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.)

12:30 p.m. Announcements/Community and Chamber Awards, Introducing Incoming Honorary Mayor

1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Modern Country's Best PHT and the Honky Tonk Nights

2 p.m. Shine & Show Winners announced and other event announcements

Sunday – Oct. 22

Festival opens at 10 a.m. Announcements.

10:30 a.m. Borrego Springs Baile Folklorico Dancers

11 a.m. Elementary After School Dance Team

Watch our talented young dancers bring joy and smiles to everyone!

11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Nacho Bustillos & Band. Nacho's music hits such as "El Juguete" and "Como te atreves" hit the billboard charts and led him to perform at top venues and events throughout the United States and Mexico.

3 p.m. End of Borrego Days.