9 live entertainment options to check out at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival

Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·4 min read
People in a crowd raise their hands during a piglet race at the 2020 Riverside County Fair and Date Festival Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Indio, Calif.
People in a crowd raise their hands during a piglet race at the 2020 Riverside County Fair and Date Festival Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Indio, Calif.

The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival is just a few days away, and along with some delicious treats, the annual event will be stacked with fun events the whole family can enjoy.

From Friday through Feb. 26, feature attractions will include carnival rides, live music, date cooking demonstrations, Blue Ribbon competitions, cute farm animals and, of course, plenty of fair food. The festivities will take place at the Riverside County Fairgrounds at 82-503 Highway 111 in Indio.

There's also plenty of exciting ticketed entertainment options in the Grandstand Arena that will bring a little bit of everything to the east valley. Here's what is planned at the fairgrounds over the course of the 10-day festival.

All Grandstand Arena events will require a ticket separate from entry to the Fair & Date Fest.

Demo Derby

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17

How much: $5 to $149

Tickets: www.datefest.org/p/about/entertainment/ticketed-events/demo-derby

What better way to kick off the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival than with destruction. The Demo Derby gets you close to the action as these cars smash, bash and crash into each other.

Drivers compete in the Demolition Derby in front of the grandstand at the Fairfield County Fair on Oct. 4, 2022 in Lancaster, Ohio.
Drivers compete in the Demolition Derby in front of the grandstand at the Fairfield County Fair on Oct. 4, 2022 in Lancaster, Ohio.

Tejano Fest

When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18

How much: $5 to $400

Tickets: www.datefest.org/p/about/entertainment/ticketed-events/tejano-fest

Dance the evening away, Tejano style, to the sounds of Texas Pachanga, Tejano Highway 281 and Ram Herrera — all under one roof. Tejano music is a popular music style fusing Mexican and American influences.

Pancho Barraza

When: 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19

How much: $25 to $149

Tickets: www.datefest.org/p/about/entertainment

Mexican singer/songwriter Pancho Barraza will take his world tour "Leyenda de Vida" to the Riverside County Fair stage on Sunday. The dance concert will also feature special guest Pequeños Musical.

PRCA Rodeo

When: 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20

How much: $5 to $149

Tickets: www.datefest.org/p/about/entertainment/ticketed-events/prca-rodeo

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will showcase the excitement and thrills of the rodeo during its Monday night slot. The evening will feature seven events, including bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding and roping.

Saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston, 27, of Big Valley, Alberta, Canada hangs on tight during a ride at the 2022 edition of Osage Xtreme Bronc Days. Thurston is a two-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion, having won the saddle bronc title in 2016 and 2019.
Saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston, 27, of Big Valley, Alberta, Canada hangs on tight during a ride at the 2022 edition of Osage Xtreme Bronc Days. Thurston is a two-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion, having won the saddle bronc title in 2016 and 2019.

Monster Trucks

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, and Wednesday, Feb. 22

How much: $5 to $149

Tickets: www.datefest.org/p/about/entertainment/ticketed-events/monster-trucks

One night of monster truck fun isn't enough, so the fair will have two nights to delight fans and get their adrenaline pumping. Both nights will showcase five class A monster trucks, a monster ride truck and a freestyle moto X team.

Flo Rida

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23

How much: $5 to $149

Tickets: www.datefest.org/p/about/entertainment/ticketed-events/flo-rida

If you're heading to Flo Rida's concert, you better wear your apple bottom jeans and boots with the fur. The Grammy-nominated rapper is known for his hits "Low," "My House" and "Wild Ones."

The Fray

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24

How much: $5 to $149

Tickets: www.datefest.org/p/about/entertainment/ticketed-events/the-fray

If you've never been able to get The Fray's "How to Save a Life" out of your head, you certainly won't be able to after their concert on Feb. 24. Aside from the popular Grammy-nominated song, the group will likely also showcase other hits like "Never Say Never" and "You Found Me."

Rock Fest

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25

How much: $5 to $144

Tickets: www.datefest.org/p/about/entertainment/ticketed-events/rock-fest

The memo for Rock Fest is simple: Get ready to rock! The showcase will include Journey's former lead vocalist Steve Augeri, ASIA featuring John Payne, Bohemian Queen, Wanted featuring the music of Bon Jovi and Smooth Sounds of Santana. Patrons who are 21 and older can also add beer tasting to their ticket.

Saturday: Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, (shown here with Joan Dale and RD Hubbard at the McCallum Theatre) perform at Spotlight 29
Saturday: Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, (shown here with Joan Dale and RD Hubbard at the McCallum Theatre) perform at Spotlight 29

Mariachi Sol de Mexico

When: 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26

How much: $5 to $154

Tickets: www.datefest.org/p/about/entertainment

Mariachi Sol de Mexico will close out the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival and promises to bring high energy and great sounds to the fairgrounds. The group is led by Jóse Hernàndez, a fifth-generation mariachi who has brought mariachi music to audiences all across the globe.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 9 live entertainment options to check out at the Riverside County Fair