Indio OKs Coachella Music Fest Sculptures

Colossal Cacti sculpture featured at 2019 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival

INDIO – The city of Indio is ready to welcome back colorful and head-turning sculptures for the ever-popular Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

The City Council unanimously approved the long-term loan of the Colossal Cacti installation featured at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.  Goldenvoice, LLC has offered the City of Indio the three metal components of the original metal and wood artwork for display within the downtown area.

he three pieces by architectural designer Andrew Kovacs range from nearly 14 to nearly 20 feet in height.  They will be installed at a city-owned green space east of Smurr Street, and south of Miles Avenue, adjacent to the Indio Visitor’s Center.

“The three cacti in downtown Indio are slightly set back from Smurr Street, loosely arranged along a concave arc to create a welcoming place,” explained Kovacs.  “The arrangement of the sculptures turns the open and empty grassy plot into a space for the community to gather and meet.”

“I think it’s a great project, and part of the whole formula for us to realize our vision for downtown Indio,” Mayor Pro Tem Waymond Fermon said.  “It is another great mechanism we can use to bring folks to our city, and make memories here!”

The long-term loan for Colossal Cacti is similar to an agreement with Goldenvoice in 2019, which allowed the city to acquire the towering Sarbalé Ke sculptures.  Sabalé Ke was installed in October 2021 at Doctor Carreon Park in Indio.

The Indio City Council also approved additional funding for landscape improvements surrounding Sarbalé Ke at the Nov. 17 meeting, which will further enhance the park.