On October 10, 2025, Judge Sunshine S. Sykes of U.S. District Court for the Central District of California granted the City of Cathedral City’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction, prohibiting Fantasy Balloon Flights (FBF) and its principals, Steve Wilkinson, Cindy Wilkinson, and Justin Wilkinson from engaging in conduct that interferes with the City’s 11th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival (Nov. 21–23, 2025).
This order strongly protects the City’s rights to the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival, one of the City’s annual signature events that draws tens of thousands of people to the City and surrounding communities. The order prohibits the defendants from engaging in conduct that the Court found likely to be unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent under California’s Unfair Competition Law.
“Today’s order protects the integrity of our community’s beloved festival and gives residents, visitors, pilots, and sponsors clear assurance about who is running the official event,” said Ryan Hunt, Communications and Events Manager. “We look forward to welcoming everyone to the authentic Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival on November 21–23.”
Background
Since 2015, Cathedral City has hosted the Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival, later renamed the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival. In April 2025, after a competitive RFP, the City awarded a three-year production contract to SoundSkilz, Inc.
The Court’s Findings
Based on extensive declarations and exhibits, the Court found the City is likely to succeed on its UCL claim. The Court cited evidence that the defendants (1) held themselves out as authorized organizers of the official 2025 Festival, (2) solicited and accepted sponsorships and pilot deposits without the City’s authorization, (3) created confusion among pilots, sponsors, and venues, and (4) took steps inconsistent with its prior statement to the Court that it had “moved on” from the City’s Festival, including securing FAA approval in June 2025 under Cindy Wilkinson’s name for the “Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival.”
In her September 24th order granting a temporary restraining order in favor of the City, Judge Sykes noted that the City had “produced a mountain of evidence” demonstrating the defendants’ unfair and fraudulent business practices. Judge Sykes found defendants’ conduct particularly concerning given that the defendants and defense counsel had represented at an earlier hearing that defendants had not solicited deposits or contact information – a statement the court found appeared to be contradicted by the evidence.
Key Terms of the Injunction
Pending trial, defendants are prohibited from, among other things:
- Holding themselves out as producer, sponsor, CEO, founder, or authorized organizer of the City’s Festival (or any similarly named event suggesting City affiliation).
- Using the City’s festival names, word marks, or design elements (including confusingly similar variations).
- Advertising, promoting, soliciting, or accepting funds for the City’s Festival or any competing hot air balloon festival on Nov. 21–23, 2025 at Downtown Cathedral City, the Westin Rancho Mirage, or Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage.
- Using City-related tangible or digital event assets, including balloon envelopes or co-branded materials, for any unauthorized event.
- Organizing any balloon event within Cathedral City without all required permits and approvals.
The Court also ordered defendants, within five court days, to provide a verified disclosure of all pilots, sponsors, and volunteers they contacted (or who contacted them) since January 1, 2025, including amounts paid.
The Official 11th Annual Festival
The Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival will proceed November 21–23, 2025 at Downtown Cathedral City, The Westin Rancho Mirage, Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage, and Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City, presented by Agua Caliente Casinos and produced by SoundSkilz, Inc. Pilots, vendors, and sponsors should contact Steve Clayton at sclayton@soundskilz.com. For official information, visit www.cchotairballoonfest.com, follow @cchotairballoonfest, or contact Ryan Hunt at (540) 664-8556 or rhunt@cathedralcity.gov.
About City of Cathedral City
The City of Cathedral City is a vibrant desert community in the Coachella Valley, known for festivals, cultural events, and year-round sunshine. Since 2015, the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival has been a signature event that celebrates the region’s natural beauty and brings together residents and visitors for a weekend of family-friendly entertainment.
Related posts:
U.S. District Court Orders Settlement Talks As Fantasy Balloon Flights Commits To Refrain From Promoting And Advertising The Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival
Agua Caliente Casinos Returns as Presenting Sponsor for the 11th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival with Major Headliner Announcement Coming Soon
City of Rancho Mirage Confirms Authorization and Official Sponsorship for Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival
