2011 Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival Opens
The 65th annual Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival is set to begin tonight, with 10 days of music, pageantry and, of course, ostrich and camel races taking over the county fairgrounds in Indio.
More than 300,000 residents are expected to attend the fair, which continues through Feb. 27.
Click here to submit your pictures from the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival!
County Supervisor John Benoit will usher in another run of the fair this morning at 9:30, when he speaks at the opening ceremony. The traditional blessing of the dates will also be held during the morning festivities.
“The Date Festival is a great occasion for people around the Valley, and around the county, to come together for a good time,” Benoit said. “If you’ve already enjoyed the annual attraction, this fair promises to be another unforgettable experience.”
For the third consecutive year, the fair will offer free admission on opening day — with anyone allowed without charge between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
A county Battle of the Bands will be featured today from noon to 4 p.m. at the Magic Carpet Stage, pitting seven Riverside County bands against one another.
Latin recording artist Luz Rios will be the fair’s opening musical act, performing tonight at 8. He has been nominated for two Latin Grammy Awards and reached the Top 40 of the Latin billboard charts.
Other high-profile musical acts scheduled are: Third Eye Blind (Saturday), former American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler (Sunday) and Switchfoot (Feb. 26).
Camel and Ostrich races will be held during the fair’s first four days as well as next weekend and the annual livestock auction will take place Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. There will also be a pageant every night, featuring a musical rendition of the Tales of 1001 Arabian Nights.
The annual Presidents’ Day Parade will take place Feb. 21, with new District Attorney Paul Zellerbach serving as the Grand Marshal.
Gates open daily at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Admission runs $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for children and is free for kids under 5.
