How to enjoy the final weekend of the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival

We're going into the final weekend of this year's 76th Annual Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival. 

Gates at the Riverside County Fairgrounds open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, giving you plenty of time to check out your favorite fair attractions.

There's plenty of activities you can enjoy with friends and family, from enjoying thrilling rides to seeing newborn livestock at the petting zoo.

"On Sunday, one of our favorite goats 'Blondie,' she kidded three beautiful babies," said Fabian Jimenez, owner of All Smiles Entertainment Petting Zoo.

Once you’ve covered the grounds, you can fuel up with a favorite treat or two.

La Quinta Resident, Genevieve Fischlein recommends the corn in a cup.

If you are in the mood for dessert, try the regional favorite Date Shake. 

"It's just a classic," said Ice Cream Mini Donuts vendor, Savana Cagle. "You think of dates, first you think of a is a date shake. Everybody's making really interesting things, and we're staying classic."

Inside the fairgrounds' Taj Mahal you can meet the farmers from Indio, Coachella and Thermal who grow countless dates in our valley’s own backyard. 

"Dates are predominantly grown here. This is one of our big crops," said Candy Felix, owner of Candy's Dates. "I think it's important for us as farmers to be represented here at the National Date Festival."

From the attractions to the delicious bites, the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival is surely a homegrown treat. 

Make sure to wear your walking shoes, this year's Date Festival features more acreage than ever before.