Local Job Seekers Pack Polo Grounds for Coachella Festival Job Fair

Festival season is quickly approaching in the Coachella Valley, with the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival now just one month away. But before the music begins, hundreds of locals gathered at the Empire Polo Grounds for a chance to land a job at one of the valley’s biggest events.

Festival promoter Goldenvoice hosted a job fair Friday morning for positions at both Coachella and the Stagecoach Festival. The event was scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., allowing job seekers to fill out applications and take part in on-site interviews.

However, the turnout was so large that organizers were forced to stop conducting in-person interviews and instead focused on collecting applications from those still hoping to secure a position.

Hundreds of people attended the event, highlighting just how significant the festivals are for seasonal employment in the region. Organizers say staffing is a major undertaking, with tens of thousands of festivalgoers expected and roughly 10,000 people working at the events at any given time.

For many applicants, the opportunity offers more than just a paycheck. One high school student who attended the fair was able to complete an interview and secure a job, saying the income will help support his family.

“Whenever I get the chance, I want to help my mom,” he said. “She’s a single mother of four, so being able to contribute at home means a lot.”

Others say the experience of working the festival is just as valuable as the money. One attendee who previously worked the event in 2017 said the behind-the-scenes access and unique atmosphere are a major draw.

“I do want to make some money and use it for a trip in May,” the applicant said. “But it’s also the experience. You get to see everything that goes into putting a festival like this together.”

Community leaders say events like the job fair are important because they connect local residents with employment opportunities tied directly to the festivals that bring millions of dollars into the valley each year.

With both Coachella and Stagecoach approaching, organizers say they are continuing to process applications as they work to fill the thousands of positions needed to make the events run smoothly.