The 98th annual Maui County Fair runs Oct. 2-5 at the War Memorial Special Complex in Kahului. Photo courtesy Maui County

The Maui County Fair will continue at War Memorial Special Complex today through Sunday, featuring dozens of food booths, rides, live entertainment, livestock and poultry exhibits, a petting zoo and much more.

“We’re very excited,” said Gabrielle Berce, the fair’s livestock and poultry exhibit chair.

The last Maui County Fair occurred in 2019 and the event sold more than 90,000 tickets. The fair was called off in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this year, Mayor Richard Bissen proposed and Maui County Council approved a $1.5 million appropriation from the Maui County’s general fund to revive the fair, one of the county’s biggest annual signature events.

Berce said the livestock show and contest will include a Paniolo Hall of Fame exhibit as well as a variety of livestock, including cattle, Nubian and dwarf goats, and a Valais Blacknose sheep named “Marshmallow.” Maui keiki rodeo contestants will also conduct demonstrations.

Regular ticket prices for the Maui County Fair are $10 for adults (age 12 and up) and $5 for children (5-11), with children 4 and under admitted for free.

The fair’s hours are 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. today, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. For more, go to TheMauiFair.com.

The Valais Blacknose sheep named “Marshmallow” will be among the animals on display at the livestock and poultry exhibition during the 98th Annual Maui County Fair. Photo courtesy of Breanna Doke

Rides and exhibits

Rides at the fair will be provided by E.K. Fernandez and the lineup includes Dizzy Dragons, Helicopter, Magic Maze, Merry-Go-Round, Lolli Swings, Pharaoh’s Fury, Scooter, Seven Seas, Super Sizzler, Super Slide, Wacky Worm, Wave Swinger and Zero Gravity.

E.K. Fernandez has an app available for purchasing rides as the old card system will no longer be used.

Because part of the War Memorial complex is undergoing renovation, some activities will be at Kaahumanu Center, including the orchid exhibit by the Maui Orchid Society.

The society will be occupying a space near the bus stop at Kaahumanu Center and featuring an exhibit similar to its Mother’s Day display earlier this year.

The exhibits for student art, student horticulture, fiber arts and orchids will all be at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center on display from 4-8 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Live entertainment

Live entertainment will start after the opening parade on Thursday and continue each night under the big tent. The lineup is as follows.

Thursday

6 p.m. — Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua with Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona

7:30 p.m. — Wehilei

9 p.m. — ‘Āinaty

Friday

6 p.m. — Jordan Soon

7:30 p.m. — Kalani Pe’a, four-time Grammy Award winner

9 p.m. — A Fiji Tribute featuring Damon Williams, Pi’ilani Arias, Loeka Longakit and friends

Saturday

12:30 p.m. — Kaina Kountry

2 p.m. — Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders

3:30 p.m. — Mikey Mina

5 p.m. — Da Braddahs

6:30 p.m. — Hawaiian Time

8 p.m. — Ka’ikena Scanlan

9:30 p.m. — Redmelo

Sunday

12:30 p.m. — Mark Yamanaka

2 p.m. — Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka with Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva

3:30 p.m. — Ku’uipo Kumukahi

5 p.m. — Keali’i Reichel and Hālau Ke’alaokamaile with Nā Kumu Hula Kealiʻi Reichel and Henohea Kāne

6:30 p.m. — Nā Leo Pilimehana

8 p.m. — Nuff Sedd

Regular ticket prices for the Maui County Fair are $10 for adults (12 and up) and $5 for children (5-11), with children 4 and under admitted for free.

For more information on the 98th Maui County Fair, visit www.themauifair.com/.

Food booth choices

The food is a big draw at the Maui County Fair, and more than 40 nonprofit organizations are ready to go for the fair, including Ke’anae Congregational Church with its Kūlolo sundae, the Living Pono Project with its kalua pig plate and Baldwin High School Project Graduation 2026 with its sweet and savory waffle dogs. Maui Ministry On The Move will also be selling its chow fun, and The Legacy Foundation will offer garlic noodles with teriyaki chicken.

Other vendors include:

• ​Lahaina Kokua KorpSauteed Mahi Mahi Caper Beurre Blanc. Served With Steamed Rice and Stir Fry Vegetable Medley – $17

• St. Anthony Church and School, Bottled Water, Bottled Soda – $2, Canned Juice – $3, Bottle Soda – $4

• Festivals of AlohaTacos – Venezuelan Style – $15

• Queen’s Court Assorted Frosty Fusions $8 Ju Mui Pops – $5 each or 5 for $20

• Maui Revival Church Pork Lechon Plate – $20

• Alzheimer’s Association of Maui 8 Piece Chicken Wings – $14

• New Life Maui Halo Halo Drinks – $10

• E&E Events Smoke Meat Plate – $20

• The Bride Church ItsTrueBerry Dubai – $16

• Central Maui Little League Water and Sports Drinks – $2 Water $3 Sports Drinks

• Ke’anae Congregational Church Kūlolo Sundae – $12

• PAPA 2037 KULA KAIAPUNI O MAUI Hamburger Steak Plate Keiki Bento – $12 (1 hamburger patty w/gravy, 1 scoop rice, corn) Mākua Plate $20, (2 hamburger patties w/gravy, 2 scoops rice, corn)$12 / $20

• ALBION SC Hawaii Dirty Soda Bar – $7

• Lahainaluna High School – Papa Hula o Lahainaluna Roselani Ice Cream (single, double, sundae, floats) – Single $4 / Double $7 / Sundae Single – $6 / Sundae Double – $8 / Float- $8

• Living Pono Project Kālua Pig Plate – Regular $12 Hoapili-size $20

• Saint Rita Catholic Church Chili Cheese Nachos – $10

• Baldwin High School Project Graduation 2026 Sweet and Savory Waffle Dogs – $7.00 each or 3 for $20

• Maui Pacific Health Org Steak Plate – $24

• King Kekaulike PTSA Kekaulicious Yogurt Cup – $9

• Kahakuloa Hawaiian Congregational Church – UCC Luau Stew – $13

• Lodge Maui Temple Association Frozen Banana Treat – $8

• Wailuku Union Church Fountain Soda – 16oz $3 32oz $5 Coke Souvenir Cup $6 ($3 Refill) Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fruit Punch Powerade

• Wailuku Union Church Fountain Soda -16oz $3 32oz $5, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Starry, Tropicana Fruit Punch Orange Crush – $3 / $5

• Southside Soujahz Basketball Association Black Rock Pizza Cheese Slice $6, Black Rock Pizza Pepperoni Slice $6, Black Rock Pizza House Salad w/dressing $6

• King’s Maui Waffle Cake Delight – $10

• Maui Ministry On The Move Chow Fun – Bowl $8 Quart $15

• Hui Alapa Shoyu Chicken with Corn and Rice – $18

• Festivals of Aloha YB Birrieria Taqueria Elote (Mexican street corn) – $9.50 make it Hot Cheetos or Doritos +$1

• Makalii Ohana Inc Poi Cascaroon 6 sticks $24 / Mochi Malasadas with Chantilly 6 $20 / Mochi Malasadas (check for pricing)

• Maui Mountain Bike Collision Badua’s Garlic Chicken Plate $16

• Big Island Crew Boba $8

• Crusaders of the Divine Church of Christ (Maui Chapter) Gyro Sandwich or Greek Salad – $15

• The Legacy Foundation Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki chicken $13

• Holomua Group Poke Bowls – Shoyu, Spicy, Furikake 1/4 pound with rice $15 1/4 containers$15 / $18

• Festivals of Aloha Pork Laulau & Lautele – $18

• ‘Īao School Student Leadership Council Pastele Stew – $20

• Hawaii Prosperity Foundation Da Kava Spot Pani Popo – $8

• Hawaii Prosperity Foundation Sweet Shack Slushy POG – $8

• Hawaii Prosperity Foundation Sparky’s Smash Burgers & Hurricane Fries $20

• Kamehameha PTSO Papa ŪLU, 2029 16oz $3 32oz $5 Coke Souvenir Cup $6 Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fruit Punch, Raspberry Tea Monster Energy Drink: 16oz Cans. $5, White or Green Can $3 / $5 / $6

• Wailuku Union Church 20 oz Bottled Drinks: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Starry, Orange Crush, Aquafina Water – $4

Baby contest

The number of those applying for the Maui County Fair’s Baby of the Year Contest, formerly known as the Healthy Baby Contest, were so many that organizers put a cap on applicants at 125.

Contest organizers will be conducting a separate preliminary contest to select finalists in the contest for the final judging that starts at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The contest dates back to the 1950s to encourage families to learn more about resources that support healthy living.

Babies are awarded in several categories including health and development, personality and interaction, appearance and presentation, and family involvement. Unique recognitions may be awarded, including best smile, chubbiest cheeks, most active and best traditional outfit.

Passenger drop-off point

‘Ohana and rideshare drop-offs will have active loading and unloading for fair guests near Baseball Field 3 along Kanaloa Avenue.

There will be a free shuttle service during Fair days with one shuttle every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. to close and two shuttles every 15 minutes during peak hours.

The Maui Bus will have modified routes in the area during the parade and the fair. For updated routes, visit www.mauibus.org or the Maui Bus app.

Free and paid parking

Free and paid parking for the Maui County Fair. Free parking is available at the Wailuku Garage and at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center. Shuttle pick up and drop off at Kaahumanu is located at the Center’s bus depot near Macy’s Men’s and the parking structure. At the Wailuku Garage, the

Fair Shuttle pickup/dropoff location is at Iao Theatre in Wailuku.

For $5, Fair goers can park at Keōpūolani, Kaiser Wailuku, JW Cameron Center, H.P. Baldwin High School, and the Boys & Girls Club of Maui

Maui County also offers buses on various routes and connections to Kahului and the Fair. They include West Maui, Upcountry, Kihei and Waihee. To find the proper route, go to https://www.mauibus.org/map