An upcoming festival that celebrates the days when cherry orchards blanketed parts of the San Gorgonio Pass received a $300,000 boost, thanks to the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the tribe announced Monday.
“Morongo is delighted to support the `Cherry Festival & Fair’ again this year, and the hard work of the Cherries of the Pass Foundation to stage this wonderful celebration of our region’s history,” Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin said. “We are honored to support events that bring our local communities together and help strengthen local traditions.”
The fest is slated for May 28-31 at the intersection of Beaumont Avenue and Cougar Way in Beaumont. The tribe’s six-figure donation will provide funding in support of the four-day event’s educational endeavors, as well as entertainment, according to the nonprofit Cherries of the Pass.
“Morongo’s ongoing generous support ensures we can continue to grow this treasured event and expand its impact,” Cherries of the Pass Executive Assistant Kiara Vasquez said. “This partnership allows us to enhance programming and keep the festival accessible to families throughout the region.”
Carnival rides, vendor booths, live musical entertainment, auto shows — and lots of cherries — will be featured during the fest.
Cherry cultivation was a popular agricultural pursuit throughout the Pass at one time, leading to the christening of “Cherry Valley,” an unincorporated community just west of Beaumont, in the 19th century. Since then, cherry growth has decreased significantly, with only about 10 acres now dedicated to the crops in Riverside County, according to the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner.
The fest serves as an opportunity to spotlight the historic importance of the product, as well as draw residents of the Pass communities together for recreational enjoyment.
More information is available at www.beaumontcherryfestival.org/.