SINGER LANCE BASS NAMED PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY 2025 TREE LIGHTER
KESQ’s Patrick Evans to Emcee Ceremony
Lance Bass, one-fifth of renowned vocal group NSYNC, will serve as the celebrity tree lighter at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 7, 2025. KESQ Chief Meteorologist and “Eye on the Desert” Host Patrick Evans will again emcee this year’s event at the Tramway’s Mountain Station. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Palm Springs High School Madrigal Choir performing holiday favorites. Following their performance, Bass will light the Tram’s landmark 45-foot tree comprised of over 4,000 LED lights, which can be seen throughout the Coachella Valley.
From small-town Mississippi to global pop icon, Lance Bass has spent over 25 years entertaining the world: singing, producing, and hosting. As a member of NSYNC, he helped define 2000s pop music, selling over 70 million records, earning multiple major awards, and releasing one of the fastest-selling albums in history, “No Strings Attached.” In 2023, the group reunited with “Better Place,” which debuted at #1 on iTunes.
Beyond the stage, Bass has produced films, hosted hit shows and podcasts, and co-owns one of the top entertainment venues in West Hollywood. In 2021, he and husband Michael Turchin, welcomed twins Violet and Alexander, inspiring his first of many children’s books, “Trick or Treat on Scary Street,” which also became a New York Times Best Seller.
A passionate LGBTQ+ advocate and philanthropist, Bass is also a voice in the diabetes awareness space and a board member of the Environmental Media Association. Whether raising awareness, raising twins, or raising eyebrows on TikTok, Bass continues to evolve with purpose, creativity, and heart.
The tree lighting ceremony is open to the public and is included with regular Tram admission.
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY’S SNOW GUESSING CONTEST ENDS
Seven Winners Announced
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Snow Guessing Contest officially ended on Sunday, November 16 with one inch of measurable snow at the Tramway’s Mountain Station.
There were seven contestants who submitted the correct date:
- Carolyn Kirner-Schmidt of San Diego
- Sharon Lee Jones of Rancho Mirage
- Daisy Sandoval Mendez
- Stephanie Smith of Desert Hot Springs
- Martina Jimenez of Hemet
- Rick Bauer of Herald
- Shelley Gleasm of Cathedral City
Each winner will receive four regular Tramway admission tickets (valid for one year) plus a special Tramway gift. The contest began October 1, and 519 entries were received.
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEKEND AT THE PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY
Extended Hours and Special Holiday Dining
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will offer special holiday hours during the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend, Thursday, November 27 through Sunday, November 30. The first tram up each day will be at 8:00 a.m., the last tram up will be at 8:00 p.m., and the last tram down will be at 9:30 p.m.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, Ride ‘n’ Dine tickets—which include Tram admission and a special holiday meal at Pines Café (a cafeteria-style restaurant)—will be available for purchase from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Meal service begins at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $41 for adults and seniors, and $27.50 for children (ages 3-10). The holiday menu includes a choice of honey-glazed ham, oven-roasted turkey, or vegetarian lasagna; a selection of side dishes; and pumpkin pie for dessert. A fountain beverage, coffee, or tea is included.
Peaks Restaurant will also serve a special Thanksgiving Day menu featuring a selection of oven-roasted turkey breast, pan-seared salmon, or filet mignon, accompanied by a seasonal appetizer and side dishes. For dessert, there is a choice of apple brown butter tart or pumpkin cheesecake. Thanksgiving Day dining in Peaks Restaurant begins at 11:00 a.m. and is $79 for adults and seniors, and $39 for children (ages 3-10). Tram fare is not included. Reservations are recommended.
For more information or to view the full menus, please visit www.pstramway.com/dining/ or call 760-325-4537 for Peaks Restaurant reservations.
38TH ANNUAL TRAM ROAD CHALLENGE RESULTS
Road Challenge Winners
The winner of today’s 38th Annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge was Blake Dignes, who ran the “World’s Toughest 6K” in 31 minutes, 2 seconds. The first female to cross the finish line was D’Arcy Hlavin in 38 minutes, 16 seconds. Nathan Casimiro finished first in the youngest category (19 and under) and Cherie Gruenfeld finished first in the oldest category (80-99).
This year’s Male and Female Challenge Division Winners are:
Age Groups | Name | City | Time |
19 and under M | Nathan Casimiro | Cathedral City, CA | 00:36:59 |
19 and under F | Emma Ayeni | Palm Desert, CA | 00:52:10 |
20-24 M | Jaime Gonzalez | Rancho Mirage, CA | 00:40:42 |
20-24 F | Airlen Franco | Cathedral City, CA | 00:53:58 |
25-29 M | Sander K | Cathedral City, CA | 00:35:01 |
25-29 F | Alice Rodriguez | Cathedral City, CA | 00:53:23 |
30-34 M | Jose Vieyra | Cathedral City, CA | 00:33:53 |
30-34 F | Norma Barbee | Indio, CA | 00:49:21 |
35-39 M | Joshua Acosta | Prescott, AZ | 00:34:13 |
35-39 F | Alexandria Silvestrin | Palm Springs, CA | 00:50:04 |
40-44 M | Russell Baughman | Cathedral City, CA | 00:34:31 |
40-44 F | Rebecca Vellios | Palm Desert, CA | 00:52:30 |
45-49 M | James Graff-Radford | Indio, CA | 00:39:56 |
45-49 F | Letiwe Patton | Indio, CA | 00:46:15 |
50-54 M | Eric Jannon | Santa Monica, CA | 00:41:22 |
50-54 F | Kristen Trubee | Palm Desert, CA | 00:45:34 |
55-59 M | Anthony Tanner | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 00:35:46 |
55-59 F | Mamiko Berger | Sedona, AZ | 00:43:13 |
60-64 M | Clifford Grant | Palm Springs, CA | 00:43:34 |
60-64 F | Christina Christina | Portland, OR | 00:53:13 |
65-69 M | Rob Erlich | Manteca, CA | 00:48:05 |
65-69 F | Jelka Jonker | Palm Springs, CA | 00:49:51 |
70-74 M | David Byrnes | Terrigal, AUS | 00:49:48 |
70-74 F | Sandy Robbins-Sydner | Apple Valley, CA | 00:58:33 |
75-79 M | Paul Beer | Palm Springs, CA | 00:50:13 |
75-79 F | Jeanne Leslie | Idyllwild, CA | 01:00:20 |
80-99 M | Patrick Bivona | Cypress, CA | 01:21:14 |
80-99 F | Cherie Gruenfeld | Cathedral City, CA | 01:01:03 |
The first Tram Road Challenge was held in 1983, and was won by Rob Slick in 27 minutes, 35 seconds and Nancy Baird in 35 minutes, 25 seconds. The fastest men’s time was set by Rubin Garcia of Mexico—26 minutes, 5 seconds—in 1987. Lubov Kremleva of Russia set the fastest women’s time—28 minutes, 56 seconds in 1998.
953 runners and walkers entered the 2025 Tram Road Challenge.
