First Inland Empire Cupcake Fair coming next month

Our friends over at IEShineOn.com are putting together a sweet event that will help support two organizations.

The Inland Empire Cupcake Fair will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium, 3485 Mission Inn Ave.

Really, who doesn’t like cupcakes?

Amateur and professional bakers are encouraged to compete in their respective categories, which will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges, including yours truly.

In addition to tasty cupcakes, attendees will be treated to live entertainment and can have their picture taken in a complimentary photo booth.

There’s also going to be a Spa Zone, with complimentary mini-massages, and a Kids’ Zone, with professional babysitters.

Tickets are available now.

VIP tickets are $25 (plus $1.87 service fee) and include an hour early entry and a free goodie bag. General admission tickets are just $15 (plus $1.52 service fee) until March 4 through today (March 6) and $20 (plus $1.69 service fee) after, and include six tasting tickets. Five general admissions are $95 (plus $4.32 service fee), and everyone gets six tasting tickets. Kids 3 and under are admitted free.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Foothill Family Shelter and California Riverside Ballet.

Interested bakers can get more information by clicking here. Entry deadline is March 11. Entry form and contest rules are here.

There are also volunteer opportunities available. Volunteers (16 years old and older) will get to enjoy the fair either before or after completion of their shift, depending on the schedule, with a free general admission ticket and six tasting tickets. They’ll also receive an Inland Empire Cupcake Fair T-shirt and tote bag. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Click here for volunteer information.

That’s not the only way to enjoy the fair for free…we’ve got a pair of VIP tickets to give away!

All you have to do is leave a comment below. We’ll select two winners — who will each receive VIP admission to the event — at noon on Wednesday, February 27.

Here are the rules:

  • One comment per person.
  • Your email address or social media account (linked to your Disqus profile) will only be used to contact you in the event you win.
  • Employees of MediaNews Group/Digital First Media and its affiliates, along with members of the employees’ immediate families are ineligible to win. Sorry, Mom.
  • The contest ends at noon PST Wednesday, February 27.
  • Two (2) winners will be chosen at random via random.org after the close of the contest. Those winners will one VIP admission to the Inland Empire Cupcake Fair.
  • Winners agree to have their name mentioned in the Dine 909 blog.

Good luck, and hope to see you there!

For updates on the event, click here.

Update: We have our winners! Comments number 1 and 8, belonging to Tom Johnson and Shawna Hemstreet, were chosen via random.org. Congratulations to Tom and Shawna!

Everyone else…remember that general admission ticket prices go up $5 after Monday (March 4).

Another update: Tickets are now $20, but if you purchase at the door, you can save $2 with a coupon from I.E. Shine On’s coupon page.