It’s a Date! The Riverside County Fair and Date Festival opens today

The Riverside County National Date Festival begins on Friday, Feb. 16.

This is the festival's 76th year, and they are expecting 250,000+ attendees.

"We are excited to welcome the community back to the Riverside County National Date Festival," said Chris Pickering, the CEO of the Riverside County Fairgrounds.

The festival will offer carnival rides, live music, livestock, art, fair foods, a blue ribbon contest, and a date cooking competition.

"The Fair and Date fest celebrates our whole community, so there’s something fun for everyone," said Pickering. "And all veterans and first responders have free gate admission for them and up to three guests as well as an opportunity for free arena tickets."

This year, 100% of the food vendors have one item with dates incorporated into the recipe.

"For the first time, every single vendor has at least one date item on the menu," said Pickering.

"Whether you’re looking for sweetness with a date al-pastor taco, or a savory bacon-wrapped date with chipotle sauce, a date beer-battered corn dog, or sticky date parfaits, it’s a date." There is a date whiskey tasting.

The festival is open until February 26th.

Tickets can be bought online at DateFest.Org or at the gate.