FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival Wins "Large Event of the Year" at Indio's State of the City Event
Indio, CA — October 1, 2024 — The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival presented by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has been awarded the prestigious "Large Event of the Year" at the Indio State of the City event. This recognition highlights the festival’s importance in celebrating the Coachella Valley’s agricultural heritage and drawing hundreds of thousands of guests over ten days each February.
Managed by Pickering Events for the past two years, this historic event continues to feature live performances, agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, and unique food items. This year, each food vendor offered at least one date item on their menu.
Mayor Guadalupe Ramos Amith praised the festival, stating,“As the ‘City of Festivals,’ Indio is proud to honor the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival. This event brings people together and celebrates our heritage. I’m pleased to award it ‘Large Event of the Year,’ showing once again why Indio is the center stage of the Coachella Valley.”
The theme of this year’s State of the City event, “Indio at Work,” highlights the city’s ongoing efforts to promote growth, community engagement, and cultural development. The City of Indio is world-renowned as the City of Festivals, home to the iconic Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Stagecoach Festival, Southwest Arts Festival, and the Indio International Tamale Festival. The Fair & Date Fest stood out this year for its community focus and celebration of local culture, featuring a redesigned layout and expanded entertainment offerings.
Building on this year's success, the 2025 Fair & Date Fest is expanding to offer even more dates. Growing from ten to thirteen days, the event will open Thursday, February 13 and run through Sunday, March 2, closing Monday - Wednesday except Presidents Day. Details on how to compete for a coveted Blue Ribbon and cash prizes are now live on their website, datefest.org.
About the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival
The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival takes place every February at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio, California. The festival celebrates the agricultural history of the Coachella Valley, particularly its date production, with live performances, carnival attractions, culinary experiences, and cultural exhibits.
About Pickering Events LLC
Pickering Events LLC is the official manager and contractor for the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival. The company specializes in managing large-scale public events across the Coachella Valley. Known for delivering innovative and memorable experiences, Pickering Events helps bring the region’s cultural and community events to life.
For more information, please contact:
Raffi Frensley
Marketing Manager, Pickering Events LLC
raffi@pickering.events