Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival announces 2026 Scholarship Program
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival presented by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is now accepting applications for its 2026 Date Festival Scholarship Program.
Part of a proud 78-year tradition, the program will award $20,000 total to ten Riverside County high school seniors in the Class of 2026, with $2,000 scholarships distributed directly to each recipient’s college or university.
Scholarship winners will also receive a Season Pass to the 2026 Fair & Date Fest.
“The Date Festival Scholarship extends the event’s celebration of the very best Riverside County has to offer—from Blue Ribbons to college tuition,” said Chris Pickering, CEO of Pickering Events. “The Butler and Pickering families enjoy learning about these exceptional students through the interview process each year; it strengthens our hope for the future.”
The scholarship is open to Riverside County residents who are graduating seniors with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA. Generous support from Butler Amusements and Pickering Events makes this opportunity possible.
All eligible submissions will be reviewed, with finalists notified by Monday, January 26.
“This scholarship program is an investment in Riverside County’s students and the future of our community,” said V. Manuel Perez, Riverside County Supervisor. “We’re proud to support opportunities that help local seniors take their next step toward higher education.”
In addition to financial support, scholarship recipients will be honored as part of the Fair & Date Fest’s Presidents’ Day celebrations, including being featured in the Presidents’ Day Parade on February 16 and recognized that morning at the Presidents’ Day Breakfast alongside local elected officials and community representatives.
Application requirements include a completed Date Festival Scholarship Application; a 500-word essay on “The Importance of Community”; unofficial transcripts showing cumulative unweighted GPA (official transcripts required prior to award); and a school ID. All materials are due by Tuesday, January 20 at 11:59 p.m. Scholarship recipients will be selected following interviews with a judging panel and announced on Wednesday, February 4 on the Festival website.
Contact Information
Email: scholarships@datefest.org
Phone: (760) 863-8247
Mail: Riverside County Fairgrounds
ATTN: Scholarship Coordinator
46350 Arabia St, Indio, CA 92201
The 2026 Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival runs February 12 through March 1. The community is invited to celebrate with family and friends throughout the Fair & Date Fest.
