The 74^th annual Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival came to a close on Sunday, February 23 with crowd favorites Mariachi Sol De Mexico and WGAS Demolition Derby. Over 100,000 fairgoers attended the closing weekend putting the 10-day total at 253,302.
 

The 2020 Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival had popular headlining entertainment included George Clinton & the Parliament Funkadelic, Banda Machos, Chris Janson and the “I Love the 90’s” concert that featured Vanilla Ice, Coolio, Tone Loc and Young MC. Every concert was well received by attendees as nearly every concert reached venue capacity.
 

Additional entertainment that helped bring in the crowds included Monster Trucks, Bull Riding, and the Aladdin Musical Pageant. Both the Wild About Monkeys Show and the Big Bugs! Rain Forest exhibit were popular with the families. The date inspired treats, from date shakes to bacon wrapped dates also brought out the crowds by the droves!
 

Riverside County Department of Animal Services was successful in showcasing rescue dogs at the fair, so much so they depleted the local animal shelters by adopting out 120 dogs into forever homes!
 

There were a record number of scholarships given away by the Friends of the Date Festival at over $21,500. The Saturday, February 22^nd, Jr. Livestock Auction raised $259,943.27.
 

The 2020 Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival was presented by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, the desert’s leader in gaming and entertainment. The Fair, in Indio, ran February 14-23.  For more information, call 800.811.FAIR or visit www.Datefest.org where you can buy and print your Fair tickets at home. Next year’s Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival will run February 12-21, 2021.