Donald Godbey of Hemet was “very impressed” to meet the “talking hairy beast” that staffed the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce booth at this year’s Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival. The Idyll-Beast, a.k.a. David Jerome, hosted the Idyllwild booth for the entire Date Festival, which set record breaking attendance marks this year. The Idyllwild Chamber Booth was virtually near pandemonium with the availability of the popular Visitor Guides and multiple photo-ops for families and school groups with Idyll-Beast, according to Jerome. “Idyllwild is the only resort community represented at the fair this year,” the Beast reported.

Idyllwild Arts Chamber Orchestra members tune their instruments to the sound of the lead violinist prior to performing Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia, Op. 26,” under the direction of conductor Joshua Roach as part of the 2011 Idyllwild Arts Summer program on Sunday, Aug. 21 at the IAF Theatre.