Palm Springs Village Fest board approves vendor lineup, asks two applicants to return and adds transgender health programming

The Palm Springs Village Fest Board on Jan. 13 approved a slate of vendors and performers for the 2026 season, declined two applications pending follow-up, and voted to add transgender health and wellness programming to the event.

Board chair Roberts opened the meeting and confirmed a quorum. The board approved the posted agenda and minutes, then moved into vendor presentations and votes. After brief presentations and sampling, the board approved several food and craft vendors and performers, including Handles (an ice-cream truck operated by Colin Fox), Humblebee Sourdough, singer–songwriter Phil Paige, ceramics maker Hugh Nimar, tie-dye vendor Denuda McCarthy and local author John Stark. Staff clarified that the city determines vendor placement on the street and that certain operational details (for instance, whether a vendor sells pints or uses cones) can be adjusted through staff approval after initial board authorization.

Two applications were declined conditionally. Amber Denton, who presented handmade tallow skincare, was asked to return with original, clearly labeled packaging and to remove or disallow medical claims on product labels. As staff told the board, “We cannot allow you…