Palm Springs, CA

PS Resorts is inviting residents and visitors to a Forever Marilyn Community Celebration on June 1, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., to honor what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 99th birthday. The event will also officially unveil the new permanent location of the iconic Forever Marilyn statue in Downtown Park, just steps from its previous home on Museum Way.

Hosted by celebrated local drag performer Vanity Halston, the free community celebration will include live music, birthday treats (one per person, while supplies last), and a Marilyn Monroe Look-alike Contest with prizes awarded to the top three participants best capturing the Hollywood icon’s classic style and charm.

The 26-foot-tall sculpture, created by artist Seward Johnson, captures Monroe’s unforgettable pose from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch — white dress billowing above a subway grate — and has become one of Palm Springs’ most beloved landmarks. Originally installed in Palm Springs in 2012, the statue returned in 2021 and was recently moved about 100 feet to its new home in the city’s Downtown Park.

“Marilyn Monroe’s birthday is the perfect time to officially introduce Forever Marilyn’s new location to the community, especially for those who have not yet had the opportunity to see her in the Downtown Park,” said Peggy Trott, Chair of PS Resorts. “Roughly 1 million visitors seek out Forever Marilyn each year, and she has become a beloved attraction by both residents and tourists alike.”

The relocation, overseen by PS Resorts at an estimated cost of $500,000, was designed to keep the statue front and center in the heart of the city’s tourist district. However, some local critics have expressed concern that the statue’s new spot — surrounded by trees — may obscure the dramatic visual impact that once drew daily crowds. Still, supporters argue that the move ensures continued access and visibility for what has been described as a “tourism phenomenon,” credited with generating significant foot traffic, media attention, and millions in local spending.

The statue also commemorates Monroe’s personal ties to Palm Springs. In 1949, she was discovered at the city’s famed Racquet Club, and throughout the 1950s she frequently visited with then-husband Joe DiMaggio. Iconic photos of Monroe around the Racquet Club pool remain a part of Palm Springs’ rich celebrity legacy.

The Forever Marilyn Community Celebration is open to the public, and guests are encouraged to come dressed in their best Marilyn-inspired attire for a chance to win prizes and take photos with the legendary sculpture in its new setting.

For more information about the event and Forever Marilyn, visit ps-resorts.com/forever-marilyn.

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