Heading to the Fair -- a couple tips for you
By Kelly O'Connor
First off, bring your jacket if you want to make an evening of it.
Still warm when I left Palm Springs last night, the weather was windy and chilly by the time I got to Indio. My sweatshirt barely kept me warm as I cruised the grounds of the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival.
Secondly, to skirt a $7 parking charge, try to snag a spot on the side streets. A lot of people park off Oasis and walk the extra five minutes to the main gate. The extra exercise may be warranted if you indulge in the most glutinous food ever -- think deep-fried Twinkies and chili cheese fries. This year I was good. I ate, actually I should say inhaled (there's just no other way to eat fair food), only one Italian Sausage sandwich. I searched for that stand for 20 minutes.
To avoid wandering moments like mine sign onto the fair Web site --
www.datefest.org -- before you go. All you planners will really love this. The site supplies visitors with a handy itinerary planner.
On the left-hand side of the site, click the "Plan Your Day at the Fair" icon. Choose your activities -- ranging from concerts and games to livestock events and animal shows. Once you plot your course out comes a map so you know exactly where to head.
It's actually pretty handy. Still, I chose to wing it. I guess that's why I missed the ostrich and camel races.
All was not lost, however, a baboon did smile at me on my way out. The red-snouted star of Wild about Monkeys shows his surprisingly-large teeth daily as he grins to audiences.
You just have to smile back.
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