99th Maui County Fair opens today
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The 99th Maui County Fair opens Thursday at the War Memorial Special Events Complex for four days of rides, food, exhibits, live entertainment and a drone show each night.
The Maui County Fair Parade will kick off the festivities, starting at 4:30 p.m. today. The parade route will go from the University of Hawaii Maui College to Kaʻahumanu Avenue before turning onto Kanaloa Avenue and ending at Iron Maehara Baseball Stadium.
Fair hours are from 5 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.
General admission is $10 for adults and children 12 and older, and $5 for children ages 5 to 11. Children 4 and younger are free. The admission gates will accept cash only.
On Sunday, the first 2,000 people admitted across the fair's three gates will receive free admission as part of Fun Factory Day.
Entertainment and drone shows
The entertainment for the fair features a diverse lineup of local favorites, Hawaiian music, hula, island contemporary artists and more.
Today's performances on the main stage include Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi featuring Kamalei Kawaʻa at 6 p.m., Kamalani Kawaʻa at 7:30 p.m. and Kanaʻi Music at 9 p.m.
Friday's performers will be Manaʻo Company at 6 p.m., Ten Feet at 7:30 p.m., Norm at 9 p.m. and Homestead at 10:30 p.m.
Saturday's program will begin with the Baby of the Year at 11 a.m., followed by Nā Aliʻi Big Band at noon, Greg Juan at 1 p.m., Kaina Kountry at 2:30 p.m., TJ Fevella at 4 p.m. and Maui Taiko at 5:10 p.m. Evening performances include Keahiwai at 6 p.m., Kealamauloa at 7:30 p.m., Wavvy at 9 p.m. and 808 Vibes at 10:30 p.m.
Sunday's lineup begins with the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble at 11 a.m. Hālau Keʻala Ka Hinano o Puna, led by Kumu Hula Joy Keōpūolani Salvador and featuring Kaulike Pescaia and Akoni Robles, follows at noon. Ei Nei performs at 1:30 p.m.; Kamaka Kukona with Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua at 3 p.m.; Hawaiian Jukebox featuring Ikaika Kalani, Taz Vegas and Greg Sardina at 4:30 p.m.; Nā Hoa at 6 p.m.; Amy Hānaialiʻi at 7:30 p.m.; and ʻĀinaty at 9 p.m.
This year, fairgoers will be treated to a drone show lighting up the night above the fairgrounds each night of the fair.
Attendees can enjoy listening to a synchronized soundtrack during each drone show by downloading the Pyrocast App by Ignite Firing Systems on a mobile device. Open the app and enter Show Code: H2J8 to connect to the official Drone Light Show music.
"Entertainment is just one part of the four-day Maui County Fair experience, which brings together the community for rides, food, exhibits, products and services, family activities and longtime fair traditions," said Fair Director Daryl Fujiwara. "Come early, stay late, enjoy the entertainment and look to the sky at 8:30 p.m. every night for the Maui County Fair Drone Show."
Rides and admission
E.K. Fernandez will offer 14 rides, including the new Speedway.
Ride credits can be purchased and managed through the company's Fun Pass app. Ride credits are separate from fair admission and cannot be used for food or activities run by the fair's participating nonprofit organizations.
The app carries a $1 annual wallet fee. In-app purchases are subject to a 40-cent fee plus a 3.2% convenience fee, and unused credits are nonrefundable. Discount ride hours are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. until closing Sunday.
Organizers encourage clear bags to speed entry. Empty reusable water bottles are allowed, and refill stations will be available inside. People, bags and strollers are subject to search at the gates.
Free parking and shuttles
Free parking and shuttle service will be available at Queen Ka'ahumanu Center throughout the fair. Pickup and drop-off will be at the bus depot in the rear parking structure near Macy's Men's & Home. Service is scheduled from 6 to 11:40 p.m. Thursday; 6 p.m. to 12:40 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 12:40 a.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 11:40 p.m. Sunday.
Free parking and shuttles also will be available Saturday and Sunday at the Wailuku Municipal Parking Garage, 30 N. Church St. The pickup area is near the Iao Theater foyer. The first shuttle leaves Wailuku at 10 a.m. each day, with service running about every 20 to 30 minutes. The last return shuttle leaves the fairgrounds at 12:40 a.m. Saturday night and 11:40 p.m. Sunday.
Maui Bus changes
The partial closure of Ka'ahumanu Avenue for today's parade will affect stops on the Kahului Loop, Kahului Reverse Loop, Wailuku Loop and Wailuku Reverse Loop routes during the afternoon and evening. Riders should expect pickup delays.
During fair hours, the Wailuku Loop Route 1 will bypass stops on Kanaloa Avenue because of traffic near the fairgrounds. Maui Bus commuter parking normally available at War Memorial Stadium will move to the Kahului Boat Ramp from Thursday through Sunday.
For specific route changes, call Roberts Hawaii at 808-871-4838 or visit mauicounty.gov/bus. Arrival information is available through the Maui Bus app and mauibus.org.
Fair broadcast
Akakū will bring the excitement straight to viewers with a three-hour live broadcast hosted by Kathy Collins and Joe Abella on Akakū's community cable channels, YouTube channel, website and free MauiStream app.
The broadcast will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and feature parade highlights and live coverage of exhibits, food booths, livestock, rides, games and entertainment. It can be viewed at tinyurl.com/3r8fuytm.