A community celebration will be held Saturday to mark the $15 million revitalization of Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park in La Quinta.
The free, family-friendly event will begin with a catfish derby at 8 a.m. at 58075 Jefferson St. following a 6 a.m. gate opening, according to officials.
The lake will be stocked with 4,800 pounds of catfish — the largest single stock in the Coachella Valley — provided by Yellow Mart Bait and Tackle in Indio.
A prize ceremony for the heaviest catch will take place at 11 a.m., followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, classic car show, vendor marketplace, food trucks and a family fun zone.
A drone light show sponsored by KYA, the contractor for the improvement project, will close the festivities shortly after 6 p.m.
“With our lease being extended another 30 years, we have dedicated significant investment and made major improvements to have more features for people of all-ages to enjoy here,” .Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said. “We are so proud to fix up and reopen the pool for our families, re-do the roads, built new restrooms and brought more greenery and trees and shade.”
Perez allocated $15 million in county funds for the project, which includes a new amphitheater, repaired swimming pool, pickleball, sand volleyball and basketball courts, new shelters in fishing areas and overall park beautification.
“Lake Cahuilla has always been a special place for families, veterans and visitors,” said Kyla Brown, general manager of RivCo Parks.
The event will be hosted by the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District, in partnership with Perez and KYA.