The City of Cathedral City is seeking proposals from qualified professional special event production companies to plan and implement one or all city events known as the State of the City (May 2026), Taste of Jalisco Festival (February 2026) and Cathedral City LGBT+ Days (March 2026). The Proposals are due by Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) SCHEDULE/DEADLINES
- Deadline to receive unique questions from submitters – Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025
- Please email Patrick Bumstead at Pbumstead@cathedralcity.gov
- Date the City will post answers to unique questions – Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025
- The proposals are due on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
SCOPE OF PROJECT/EVENT DESCRIPTIONS
Taste of Jalisco Festival
Now in its ninth year, Taste of Jalisco Festival celebrates Cathedral City’s Sister City relationship with the City of Tequila in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The three-day festival honors this relationship through music, fashion, culture, spirits, and cuisine. The Sister City relationship was first established in 1996 when the two cities entered into a formal Sister Cities agreement. Since then, exchanges between the Cities included art, culture, governmental best-practices, youth focused educational opportunities, donation of firefighting equipment, and firefighter training, among others.
The festival features an expansive carnival, authentic Mexican food, tequila tastings, live entertainment including mariachi bands and folkloric dancers, artisan vendors, and family-friendly activities. This vibrant cultural event highlights the rich traditions, cuisine, and arts of Jalisco while strengthening the bonds between the two sister cities. The festival typically includes carnival rides, a marketplace, and special performances that showcase the heritage and culture of the Jalisco region.
Cathedral City LGBT+ Days
Cathedral City LGBT+ Days is an annual pride festival and celebration held in Cathedral City, typically taking place in March. The event features a variety of activities including a parade, live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, and community gatherings. One of its most unique and popular attractions is the Sunday Bed Races, where teams compete by racing decorated beds on wheels through the downtown streets. The festival celebrates the LGBTQ+ community while promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality in the Coachella Valley region.
Cathedral City is the fastest growing among the desert cities and is valued and respected as a community that welcomes and embraces diversity. Many people across the nation know about Palm Springs, but more and more people are discovering that Cathedral City has become a great destination for the LGBTQ+ community to live, dine, stay and play.
State of the City
The State of the City is an annual event held each May at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Golf Resort in Cathedral City, where the Mayor and City Council present updates on the city’s accomplishments, special events, current projects, and future plans to the community. This presentation typically includes information about the city’s financial status, economic development initiatives, business growth, development projects, public safety updates, and other important civic matters. The event highlights opportunities for business expansion and investment while showcasing Cathedral City’s commitment to fostering a strong local economy. The event includes a networking reception for attendees.
The hour-long program features a carefully scripted presentation complete with detailed slideshows, engaging sizzle reels, and professionally produced video content that showcases the city’s achievements and vision for the future. The program also includes panel Q&A sessions with special guests, which are usually moderated by the Mayor of Cathedral City. Contractor shall apply to produce, organize, manage, and implement one or both festivals that enriches the cultural activities through music, LIVE entertainment, food, spirits, and other festivities.