Successful Fair Closes with New Attendance Record

In the current economic storm, the 2010 Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival proved to be a thunderous success breaking several all time attendance records, bringing in 310,394 fairgoers. The previous attendance record of 303,476 was set in 2007. From day one, the fair was off to a great start with a promotion to give back to the community – by having free admission to the fair for the first six hours – this promotion lead to a record breaking attendance on opening day. The 64th annual fair closed on a high note with 54,774 people in attendance. The strong attendance attests to the fact that people enjoy the fair; it is a tradition for families, residents and visitors to the Coachella Valley.

Knowing that everyone's entertainment dollars are stretched tight, the fair offered several successful promotions this year. In addition to the free admission offered on opening day, the fair also had a 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 concreted midway sections on the fairgrounds that made enjoying the many shows and shopping the vendors’ stands easier than ever.

Fairgoers enjoyed the Fantasy Springs Concert Pavilion which featured concerts including Switchfoot, Graciela Beltran, Night Ranger, Rodney Atkins, and Banda Limon.

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 65th Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, February 18 – 27, 2011. To find out what great new attractions will be coming to the fair in 2011, visit the website www.datefest.org. The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival is presented by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.