Pali Elementary to Host Annual Yee Haw Day Festival

Inaugural Main Stage to Feature Fitz and the Tantrums With Special Guest X Ambassadors

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Palisades Charter Elementary School is preparing to host its community Yee Haw Day festival on Saturday, October 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.—and this year, for the first time ever, there will be a main stage, headlined by Fitz and the Tantrums with special guest X Ambassadors.

The event, hosted by Palisades Enrichment Programs, will take place at Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet (740 S Gretna Green Way), which is serving as Pali Elementary’s temporary campus while rebuild plans are underway.

“In the wake of the Palisades fire, our school community has faced unimaginable loss—but through it all, we’ve stayed strong,” read information about the event. “On October 18, we come together to reconnect, to uplift our children and to remind each other that healing happens when we gather with purpose. With exciting games, delicious food trucks, hands-on activities and live music all day—there’s something for everyone.”

The annual Yee Haw Day serves as a fundraising effort, with proceeds from this year’s event benefiting PEP, a nonprofit that “funds essential programs” at Pali Elementary, including music, drama, STEAM and physical education; instructional aides and smaller class sizes; and enrichment experiences that “make learning vibrant and engaging.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Fitz and the Tantrums, with Pali Elementary dad Jeremy Ruzumna on keys, to headline Yee Haw Day—and to have X Ambassadors join us as a special guest,” Yee Haw Day Chair Cali Tendle said.

Known for songs like “HandClap” and “The Walker,” Fitz and the Trantrums will deliver a “signature high-energy acoustic show” at 5 p.m. on the Frontier Stage in “what promises to be the most exciting Yee Haw Day yet.” X Ambassadors, with songs like “Renegades” and “Unsteady,” will join as special guests at 4:15 p.m.: “Their dynamic sound and powerful live performance will add an unforgettable layer to this year’s festival, making the 2025 lineup the most ambitious in Yee Haw Day history.”

The main stage will also feature a lineup of “incredible local performers,” including School of Rock West LA and Ford the Lord. There will be a Honky Tonk Stage, with “family-friendly entertainment,” like Mr. Silly, Sharpo the Magician and Celebration Station.

Other festivities set to take place include Twinkle Town hair braiding extensions, airbrush art and a bracelet bead bar. There will be a “bustling Marketplace,” with local artisans and vendors.

Rides and carnival games will be available for all ages, with MOTHER as the lead ride sponsor, as well as “interactive experiences and hands-on STEAM activities.” There will be “delicious bites” from “top local food trucks and restaurants.”

Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation is this year’s premiere sponsor, supporting the main stage, as well as a free bundle of game and ride tickets for each Pali Elementary student.

The Palisades fire damaged Pali Elementary’s campus in January, leaving approximately 70% of students displaced from their homes, according to the school. Yee Haw Day will mark the first “large-scale gathering” since then—designed to be “a day to reconnect, heal and experience joy together.”

Last year’s event drew more than 1,300 attendees, according to organizers, with an expectation to exceed that number this year.

“To ensure a safe and fun experience for everyone, entry tickets are required to manage capacity,” according to organizers.

Attendees 12 and under are free, but a ticket is required for entry. For guests 13 and older, a ticket bundle must be purchased for $50, which includes an entry wristband and $30 in ride/game tickets. Unlimited ride wristbands are sold separately for $25.

Games are one ticket to play, with rides ranging from one to three tickets. Experiences, including a photo booth and hair braiding, will range from two to seven tickets. Food can be purchased separately (not with tickets).

“This year’s celebration will be unforgettable,” Tendle said. “More than entertainment, it’s a gift to our students, families and neighbors, and a testament to the resilience, strength and spirit of our community.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit yeehawpali.com.