INDIO

Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival

Feb. 15 to 24: A different date concoction is whipped up daily at the annual fair by area chefs who stop in for a cooking show. Amateurs can compete for best date recipe or amble the grounds munching on date pastries washed down with date shakes (a popular choice) and watch the camel and ostrich races. Plus: big-name entertainment, with concerts included in the fair admission. This year, it's LeAnn Rimes, Heart and Blues Traveler.

Where: Riverside County Fairgrounds, 82-503 California 111, Indio.

Cost: $8, $6 ages 5 to 12, 4 and younger free.

Info: (800) 811-3247, www.datefest.org.