The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians have been great partners over the years and the Soboba Foundation was recently honored as the Outstanding Community Organization/Partner in the California Association of Recreation and Park District’s annual Awards of Distinction Program for its work with Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District. “Partnering with Soboba was an easy decision. “The cost of the fireworks comes from the generosity of our Board of Directors, who forgo any compensation for serving with those funds going toward special events,” Shultz said. In the past, revenue from vendors at Valley-Wide’s Regional Park helped offset some of the costs that won’t be incurred this year, such as police and portable restrooms. And even though we couldn’t invite people to our park this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we still wanted to provide a show.” “We have provided a free fireworks show in the San Jacinto Valley since 1976, drawing upwards of 15,000 visitors each year. “This is the first time we have livestreamed an event,” he said. There were more 13,000 views on all social media platforms, according to Valley-Wide’s Public Information Officer Craig Shultz.

Valley-Wide staff and personnel from Hemet Eye News were at the Soboba Reservation site to transmit the nearly 20-minute show over Valley-Wide’s Facebook and Instragram pages. About 40 vehicles containing upwards of 150 people attended in person. No amenities, such as food vendors, were allowed as in years past. Only a certain number of entry tickets were provided, and check-in was done at an access gate near the Soboba Fire Station to ensure the crowd didn’t get too large. Soboba tribal members could watch the show in person from the comfort of their cars or tailgates in the parking lot of the old casino. “Our goal from the beginning has been to provide the tribe and community an event that everyone can enjoy but always maintain the safest environment possible.” “Having the restrictions has been challenging in trying to coordinate the show,” Soboba Tribal Administrator Michael Castello said.

Both entities are well known for their annual spectacular pyrotechnic displays but due to COVID-19 limits on public gatherings, things were done differently this year.

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians teamed up with Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District to put on a fireworks show that lit up the San Jacinto Valley skies – and computer screens for those that livestreamed it.

Is soboba casino in hemet california