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Memorial Day Flower Drop: A Unique Memorial Day Celebration Honoring Veterans

Regardless of your reason or season for travel, Palm Springs, California, is a historic, beautiful and welcoming destination that’s perfect for your next vacation. The history of Palm Springs as an American city began when Mexico ceded the California Territory to the United States after the Mexican-American war ended in 1848. By 1853, the US Government sent survey parties to map the area, and one of these maps features the first use of the name Palm Springs in the area. In 1877, the Southern Pacific Railroad laid track through town on their way to the Pacific Ocean and Palm Springs was changed forever. By the beginning of the 20th Century, the city was known far and wide as a tourist destination and the home of healing hot springs. As more people came to the area to visit, resorts and attractions were built to accommodate the influx of people. By the late 1940’s, post war America was obsessed with Palm Springs, with many Americans making the pilgrimage to southern California annually. Palm Springs currently has a population over 46,000 people and is regularly named among the top vacation destinations on the planet.

 

For nearly two decades, the Memorial Day Flower Drop has been honoring veterans and providing patrons with a one-of-a kind Memorial Day experience. Roughly 2,000 people are predicted to make their way to the Palm Springs Air Museum for the event. Airplanes from a range of years and conflicts will be taking flight and landing throughout the event. The flower drop consists of taking 3,000 white and red carnations and dropping them from a plane over the Air Museum. This is done to commemorate all who served and for those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom and interests. You’ll also find opportunities to get up close views of the planes, meet some of the pilots, enjoy great live music, and get your fill of delicious festival fare. From rides on actual planes to flight simulators, this is a comprehensive aviation experience that is perfect for the entire family. ResortsandLodges got the chance to sit down with Ann Greer, Representative for the Memorial Day Flower Drop, to talk about the event.

 

RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.

The Memorial Day Flower Drop has been running for almost 20 years. This year we are expecting 2,000 people in attendance. As far as the demographics of our crowd goes, we see everyone here from families to groups of friends.

       

RAL: What makes this event unique?

AG: It’s both in keeping with the reason for Memorial Day (honoring those who served our country and who made the ultimate sacrifice), educational and entertaining. I am not aware of another entity that drops commemorative flowers from a vintage World War II airplane. Let me tell you the significance of the flowers: the 2,000 white carnations are in honor of those who served in historical conflicts (Vietnam and Korean, going all the way back to the Civil War).  The red carnations are in honor of those who gave their lives serving in more recent conflicts (Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.)

 

RAL: Take me through a typical day at the event.

AG: The Museum opens at 10:00 am and the Flower Drop Ceremony starts at 1:00 pm. However, we have flight exhibitions scheduled throughout the day. The first planes take off before the museum opens, but land on the tarmac after opening. This year’s flight exhibition includes a B-25, C-47, P-51, P-63 (one of only three currently flying), F-86 Saber (first time at the event), T-28, and a Yak-3. We have food vendors, live music, and a beer garden for people 21 and older (with ID). There is an education center upstairs with flight simulators (closed during the Flower Drop from 1:00-2:30 pm), and friendly pets on leash are welcome. We recommend people carpool (parking lots get full), and that people bring a portable chair if they have one. The hangar doors are open, so people have full access inside and outside. The Air Fair and Flower Drop activities take place outside, but all the inside displays are open.

 

RAL: What can attendees expect for activities?

AG: There will be flight exhibitions throughout the event, and the planes taking off and landing makes for quite the show. Live music will be performed by Heat Wave Jazz Band inside the  European Hangar. Harpo the Clown will be onhand, entertaining the masses. You can purchase a biplane ride on site ($150 for 15 minutes). The 82nd Airborne re-enactors will be here putting on reenactments and interacting with the crowd. Last, but not least, is the Flower Drop and the Missing Man Formation. The Missing Man Formation is when four fighters take off, fly over the museum a couple of times, and on the third pass, one of the outer planes breaks off formation, signifying the loss of a pilot and airplane. It’s very moving tribute to fallen pilots and so is the dropping of the carnations onto the tarmac from the B-25, again, on the 3rd pass over the museum. Visitors are welcome to take home one of the flowers.

 

For food options we have all the main festival fare including hot dogs, grilled sandwiches, hamburgers, ice cones, refreshments, Mexican food and more. If you're of age there will also be a beer garden.

 

The overall environment of the event is festive and fun, while paying homage to the heroes that put their lives on the line for our safety. Whether you're inside the museum or outside on the tarmac, make sure to wear light clothing, a hat and sturdy shoes for walking to see all three hangars.

 

RAL: Why should people come to your event?

AG: This is a unique event. How often can someone see several vintage aircraft taking off and landing, flying overhead, while enjoying music, food and learning something about history. People can get up close to these airplanes, and talk to the pilots after they land.


For more information about the Memorial Day Flower Drop, please visit their website.