OLINDA - The 31st Upcountry Fair, set for Saturday and Sunday at the Oskie Rice Field & Arena, will include the annual 4-H Livestock Show, a rodeo, pie-eating and stick pony rodeo contests and the music of George Kahumoku Jr. and Richard Ho'opi'i.
The fair will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The theme is Nana 'Ike Kumu, "Look to the Source," which celebrates the Upcountry ranching and farming lifestyle that is unique to Maui.
Over the two days, 4-H'ers will be showing their animals to judges and auctioning them off. Other animal husbandry activities on tap include the 'Ohana Ranch Rodeo, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day; a Paniolo Hall of Fame display and other historical items in the Paniolo Tent; and a professional chef's demonstration Saturday on using grain-fed beef.
In Haleakala Ranch's Entertainment Tent, Kahumoku, Benny Uyetake, The Shamrocks and Jah Residentz will perform on Saturday, with Kathy "Tita" Collins serving as emcee, and Ho'opi'i and his ohana, the Hawaiian Serenaders, 'Ukulele Pops Band, Country Band and Marty Dread on Sunday.
Others events include the Pie Eating Contest on Saturday and the Hot Dog Eating Contest on Sunday; horse rides, stick pony rodeo and sack races; and a Keiki Booth with games, contests and prizes.
The Maui County Farm Bureau will have fresh produce and plants for sale in the Whole Foods Market Agricultural Tent. The food lineup includes BBQ chicken, beef and pork plates, lumpia, chow fun, salads, Indian dishes and desserts.
For more information, call Brenda Kuala'au at 870-9031 or email upcountryfair@gmail.com.
