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First Annual Fiesta Day at
Indio Desert Circuit, Sunday, March 11, Will Celebrate Hispanic
Culture |
INDIO, CA (March 5, 2001)--Fiesta Day, a
celebration of Hispanic culture, will be introduced at the Indio Desert Circuit
Horse Show on Sunday, March 11, in Indio, California. Festivities with a
Hispanic flavor are scheduled from 11am until 1pm. Visitors to HITS Desert
Horse Park will be treated to strolling mariachis, a KUNA Radio Remote,
piñata games, charro and escaramuza exhibitions (Mexican rodeo), pony
rides, and a bouncy house plus educational activities and career information.
Fiesta Day is presented by Avis, Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley,
City of Indio, El Informador del Valle, Indio International Tamale Festival,
KUNA TV, La Quinta Awards, and Valley Meat Markets.
A newly published pamphlet called "Careers in the Horse Industry"
will be distributed at Fiesta Day. The pamphlet is bilingual--English and
Spanish--and provides information on the wide range of career opportunities
available in the horse industry. The pamphlet will be distributed at all six
HITS horse show grounds nationwide throughout the year as well as at the
Hampton Classic in New York.
The first annual Indio Salsa Challenge is also part of Fiesta Day. The contest
is open to local professional and amateur salsa makers. Representatives from
the Coachella Valley mayors' offices will be the judges. Winners in the
professional and amateur categories each will receive trophies and ribbons for
first, second, and third place. The overall Grand Champion will take home a
check for $100 and receive a complimentary booth space at the 2001 Indio
International Tamale Festival. Prospective contestants should contact the La
Quinta Boys and Girls Club at 760-564-5555 for an entry form. Entrants will pay
a $15 fee and will receive a souvenir apron. Entries are limited to the first
50 'Professional/Commercial' and 50 'Individual' entries. Entries should be
received no later than Friday, March 9, 2001.
Following the Fiesta Day activities and Salsa Contest, the finale of the Indio
Desert Circuit will take place in the Grand Prix field--the $150,000 Ford Grand
Prix of the Desert. Prior to the start of the Grand Prix, renowned local singer
Pobedy Montes will sing the National Anthem. The $150,000 Ford Grand Prix is
the last West Coast qualifying event for the F.E.I. World Cup of Show Jumping.
This class will decide which three riders from the West Coast League will
compete in the World Cup Final in Goteborg, Sweden, April 12-16. The $150,000
Ford Grand Prix wraps up this year's Indio Desert Circuit Horse Show. After the
victory lap, Grand Prix riders will be seated at tables in the Grand Prix field
for an autograph signing session and photo opportunity.
HITS Desert Horse Park features competition Wednesday through Sunday from 8am
until approximately 4pm. General admission on Saturday or Sunday is $5 for
adults. Children 12 and under are always admitted at no charge. Parking is free
at the new parking lot on the show grounds. The Indio Chamber of Commerce will
provide volunteers as ticket takers on March 11 and will receive a percentage
of the total ticket proceeds from the six-week horse show.
DIRECTIONS: Take I-10 to the Monroe Street exit in Indio. Go south
approximately five miles to Avenue 52. Turn right onto Avenue 52. Horse Show
entrance is ½ mile on right.
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