(Riverside, CA)  The first annual Inland Empire Cupcake Fair will be held at the Riverside Auditorium & Events Center on March 17 and will benefit two local charities. The event will take place from 12-4 p.m.  Admission is $25.  VIP is $35.

Presented by IEShineOn.com, the event will showcase local cupcake bakeries and amateur bakers in a cupcake tasting competition.  Proceeds will benefit the Foothill Family Shelter and the California Riverside Ballet.

General Admission includes six cupcake sampling tickets with admission.  VIP Admission allows guests to enter the event an hour early at 11 a.m.  They will also receive a goodie bag filled with free items and discount coupons for local dining, shopping and attractions. 

Cupcake judging includes professional and amateur bakers, judged by a panel of experts.  Event guests will also be encouraged to vote for their favorite professional and amateur cupcake as well.  Live entertainment is planned with DJ’s, performances and a complimentary photo booth. 

“ This is an exciting event and the first of its kind featuring the baking talent from across the Inland Empire,”  said Su Pak, Founder of IEShineOn.com.  “We currently have nothing like it that promotes the art of cupcakes, which are very popular with families throughout the region.  And it’s for very worthwhile causes.  The buzz has started and we’re expecting over 2,000 to attend. I’m also especially excited about the live entertainment and vendors we’ll also be showcasing that day.”

She started IEShineOn.com “The Inland Empire Good Time Guide” an online resource to find the best events and attractions in the Inland Empire.

A Spa Zone offers free massages and other mini services by professional stylists.  Parents can also drop off their kids at the Kids Zone, where they will be cared for by professional babysitters from Seeking Sitters Inland Empire.

All local professional and amateur bakers are encouraged to join the competition.  They can use this sign-up form to enter: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1j3VWClnthtkX2wXMJEJIAmEDx2g8YwNR4_VKCwUncZ8/viewform.  Entry is only $50. 

Event and Table sponsorships are available.  All sponsors receive a free placement in the new Inland Empire Coupon Guide (http://www.ieshineon.com/coupons), offering another way to promote local business. 

To learn more about the Cupcake Fair, marketing and sponsorships, visit IEShineOn.com or call Su Pak at 909-257-8862.  Tickets can be purchased at http://iecupcakefair.brownpapertickets.com.

Foothill Family Shelter is a nonprofit organization founded in 1984 which houses homeless adults and children for a period of up to 120 days, free of rent and utility charges. We also provide one-year transitional housing as well as permanent housing.  The Foothill Family Shelter began as St. Mark’s Homeless Shelter and currently serves as a transitional facility for homeless adults and children from the west end of San Bernardino County and the east end of Los Angeles County. Our mission is to assure children and adults a future by helping them acquire skills that will enable them to maintain a home, job, and at the same time develop the necessary self-esteem to function as a successful stable adult.

The California Riverside Ballet promoting excellence and enriching life through its presentation of the finest in classical and contemporary ballet. California Riverside Ballet accomplishes this through community outreach and performances, which educate and provide artistic experience to dancers and patrons alike. The Ballet cultivates awareness of this traditional art expression to benefit the Community and the Arts.