Another Great Year!

The 2009 Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival ended on a high note Sunday, February 22. With nearly 280,000 people in attendance, it wasn’t far off from an all time attendance record of 303,000 in 2007. Given the economy, the strong attendance attests to the fact that people enjoy the fair. Attending the fair is a tradition for families, residents and visitors to the Coachella Valley.

If it hadn’t been for a rainy Presidents’ Day, the fair would have likely finished in the running for another top attendance record. It did set a record for opening day attendance with more than 24,000 people coming through the gates.

Knowing that everyone's entertainment dollars are stretched tight, the fair offered several successful promotions this year including free admission for the first four hours on opening day and Fantasy $5 Friday: admission on the last Friday was only $5 thanks to the fair’s presenting sponsor Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

Improvements to the fairgrounds continue to enhance patrons’ enjoyment of the fair. This year, vendors and fairgoers noticed the newly paved midway section on the fairgrounds that made enjoying the many shows and shopping the vendors’ stands easier than ever.

Fairgoers continue to enjoy the Fantasy Springs Concert Pavilion which featured concerts including John Michael Montgomery, El Coyote y Su Banda – Tierra Santa, and the Gin Blossoms.

As the Riverside County Economic Development Agency puts another successful fair in the books, it will also begin the planning for next year. Save the dates for the 64th Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, February 12 – 21, 2010. The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival is presented by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.