Security Prepared For 66th Annual National Date Festival

Thousands are expected to fill the fairgrounds at the Riverside County Fair and 66th annual National Date Festival. With large crowds, security is always a concern, but authorities said it’s always been under control.

One year ago next Tuesday, a young boy was shot while playing in front of his home.

It happened near the fairgrounds, but authorities said the shooting was unrelated to the festival.

For more information, visit KESQ.com’s Special Section on the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival Every day still a challenge for the Deleons.

The family goes to therapy, often reliving the night Adam Noah Deleon Jr., 5, almost lost his life.

“I got shot,” said Deleon Jr. “It hurt so bad.”

The shooter was eventually found and arrested.

Javontae Garcia, 27, sentenced to nine years behind bars, after pleading guilty to assault with a deadly weapon, but police said the shooting was unrelated to the festival.

“(It was) more of the neighborhood — nothing that had to do with the festival,” said Adam Deleon Sr. “It just happened to be so close to the festival.”

Deleon Sr. said there’s too much violence surrounding the home his family has owned since the 1970s.

He’s had enough, and plans on selling the house.

“But this year we get to go to the fair,” said Deleon Sr. “Last year, we weren’t able to make it.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and private companies will run security on the fairgrounds with uniformed and nonunformed patrols on bikes and foot.

Pat-down searches will be done at the gates and surveillance cameras will be on at all times, and the festival empoyees have also been trained to spot fake tickets.

The Indio Police Department will monitor the traffic outside.

“It’s normal patrols — our normal beat officers (and) our regular calls for service,” said Ben Guitron, of the Indio Police Department. “But obviously, we do have the staff that’s mindful on the perimeter and it’s mostly because of the pedestrians.”

Neighbors are excited about the festival — the ticket line on Thursday already stretched as long as a city block.

But longtime resident Henry Perales said he’s most looking forward to the Deleons walking outside of the door, and this year, enjoying the festival together.

“We like (Deleon Jr.) very much,” said Perales. “He’s doing good.”

“It was nice that you’re not forgotten,” said Deleon Sr. “Where you’re just a story one year and then you’re not forgotten.”

The tradtional opening and blessing of the dates ceremony will start at 9:30 a.m. on Friday and the gates will open a half-hour later.