The 70th Annual Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival officially kicks off the fair season in the Coachella Valley with a nine-day run, Feb. 12-21, at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio.
This fun-filled 10-day event, presented by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, features a star-studded performer lineup including Trace Adkins, KC & the Sunshine Band, Ranchero singer Ezequiel Peña, Sheila E., Morris Day and the Time, and Pedro Rivera with Banda Los Incomparables de Tijuana and Mariachi Alma de Jalisco.
Ezequiel Peña (left) and Trace Adkins open the entertainment on Feb. 13 and 14, respectively.
Peña, who achieved international recognition in the mid-1990s after teaming up with Marco Antonio Solís to release Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Verdes in 1994 and Orgullo Ranchero in 1996, will performat 7 p.m. Feb. 13.
Adkins' trademark baritone can be heard at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14. The country star has powered countless hits to the top of the charts and sold more than 10 million albums, cumulatively. His hit list includes You're Gonna Miss This, Ladies Love Country Boys, Songs About Me, Every Light In The House, and Just Fishin’, to name a few. The Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry is a TV personality, actor, author, spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Program and the American Red Cross. In recent years, Adkins has performed seven USO Tours.
Morris Day (left) and Sheila E. combine forces on Feb. 19.
Morris Day and the Time and Sheila E will perform at the Fair at 7 p.m. Feb. 19. Day fuses soul and dance music with funk, rock 'n' roll, and more. Led by singer-songwriter Day, the band has achieved popularity with R&B fans with tracks such as Jerk Out and Jungle Love.
Sheila E is a singer, world-class drummer, and percussionist whose credits read like chapters in a music history book: Ringo Starr, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Beyoncé, Herbie Hancock, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan and George Duke. Sheila E.’s fierce, dynamic verve onstage has made her a major concert draw since the 1990s.
La Quinta's own KC of KC & The Sunshine Band will disco at the fair on Feb. 20.
KC & the Sunshine Band, featuring La Quinta resident Harry Wayne Casey (KC), will bring a disco, funk, and R&B sound at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20. Four of their albums have gone Platinum or higher. Their best-known songs include the disco hits That's the Way (I Like It), (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty, I'm Your Boogie Man, Keep It Comin' Love, Get Down Tonight, Boogie Shoes, Please Don't Go, and Give It Up.
KC’s band has won distinguished awards including a Grammy for Album of the Year (Saturday Night Fever – 1979), and an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single (Get Down Tonight’ – 1976).
On the last day of the Fair on Feb. 21, Super Fiesta will pack the house starting at 3 p.m. with Pedro Rivera and Banda Los Incomparables de Tijuana and Mariachi Alma de Jalisco.
Camel Races are a traditional big draw at the fair.
And don't forget the Monster Truck Shows, Demolition Derby, Bull Riding and Camel and Ostrich Races. Two carnivals, one for little tikes and one for thrill seekers, offer exhilaration and excitement for any age. Special date menu items can be found at numerous fair vendors throughout the grounds, and the date cooking demonstrations produce new date-inspired recipes.
Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Purchase tickets early and receive them at a discounted price: $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for youth, $7 for group tickets or bus tours (minimum of 25), and $22 for Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands.
For more information, call 800.811.FAIR or visit DateFest.org where you can buy and print your Fair tickets at home.
Be sure to see the talented cast of the Nightly Musical Pageant.
Special Days & Promotions
Special Days & PromotionsFeb. 12: Free admission from 10 a.m. to noon.
Canada Day – Feb. 16: Canadian residents will be admitted into the Fair for free with proof of residency (valid passport, license or identification card).
Kids’ Days: Tuesdays through Thursdays, 3 p.m. to close, one child free per paid adult.
Waste Resources Wednesday – Feb. 17: Free admission when you bring in electronic waste items. (See a list of devices online.)
O’Reilly Day – Feb. 18: Visit your local O’Reilly Auto Parts store for more information.
Fantasy $5 Friday – Feb. 19: All day admission $5, sponsored by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
JFK Day – Feb. 20: “Keeping You Healthy & Moving” – First 500 Fairgoers will receive a pedometer (limit one per family).
Military: Veterans plus three guests are admitted free every day with proper identification.
New to the Fair: Meet and greet the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (pictured above) and the Butterfly Encounter.