BY: raja walley
There are many events that Riverside County residents can look forward to during this winter season. These festivities connect the community to various cultures and traditions present in Riverside. Three upcoming Riverside County events are the Black History Expo and Parade, the Eastvale Lantern Festival and the Riverside County Fair.
On Feb. 11, the 44th annual Black History Parade and Expo will be held in Downtown Riverside, on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Because February is nationally recognized as Black History Month, this gathering allows the African American community to recognize and commemorate the lives of those who made a difference for African Americans in the United States of America. The parade includes marching ensembles, dancers and decorated cars from participating members. The expo has live performances, educational teachings on history and literature, artwork and more. People of all ages are encouraged to attend. The City of Riverside’s official website contains more information on this event.
Following the Black History Parade and Expo is the 2nd annual Eastvale Lantern Festival hosted at Roosevelt High School. This weekend event takes place on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The festival celebrates the Lunar New Year with cultural performances rooted in various Asian traditions. Within the Eastvale Lantern Festival, there will be performances, such as traditional Mongolian folk dances and Japanese Taiko drumming. In addition to these performances, cultural food and activities will be presented to appreciate Asian culture in the Riverside community. This event is also free to attend and encourages all to attend. More information can be found on PananaEvents.com.
A great way to end February is to attend the Riverside County Fair. Originating as a celebration of Coachella Valley's Date Palm Harvest in 1947, this 10-day event now celebrates its 76th anniversary. The Riverside County Fair is held in Indio, California from Feb. 16 to Feb. 25. It will have monster truck shows, a demo derby, a rodeo organized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and live concert performances by Smash Mouth and Diamond Rio. Tickets for each event are available for purchase online at DateFest.org.
The Riverside County Fair, Black History Expo and Parade, and Eastvale Lantern Festival allow individuals to engage in different cultural traditions and customs this season. From traditional dances, parade shows and harvest celebrations, individuals can celebrate, embrace and connect as they share their culture with their local communities.