91st Annual Maui Fair Starts

Editor’s note: See Maui Fair-related road and facility closures here. Check changes to the Maui Bus schedule here. Also: detailed list of Maui Fair highlighted events.

By Vanessa Wolf

That oughtta make you toss some cookies. Maui Fair 2012, photo by Wendy Osher.

If you haven’t gotten seasick on land in a while, then hold onto your candied apple because the puke-inducing Fireball and Pharoah’s Fury are back. Woot.

The 91st annual Maui Fair kicks off this Thursday, Oct. 3, with the traditional parade.

The procession starts at 4:30 p.m. sharp at the Ka’ahumanu Avenue entrance of UH Maui College, turns right on to Kanaloa Avenue and ends at the entrance to Maehara Baseball Stadium.

The fair itself will then open at 5 p.m. and run until 11 p.m. that night.

For those already registered, Friday morning is the ‘Special Fair Day.’

This event is a way to open the fair to those with have physical or mental limitations that preclude them from attending during regular hours.

Things open again to the general public on Friday, Oct. 4 from 5 p.m. to midnight and again on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

Saturday is chock-a-block with special events.

What’s a fair without some motion sickness? Maui Fair 2012, photo by Wendy Osher.

At 10 a.m. is Meadow Gold’s 14th Annual Healthy Baby Contest at the Maui Fair Entertainment Tent Stage.

Introduce your progeny to a lifetime of external evaluations as you wait to see if they have appearance, healthiness and personality to win. Check-in is at 9 a.m.

At 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. take in the Robotics “FIRST” Demo by Baldwin H.S. Robotics. There will be robots. (!)

You can also catch the demonstration on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m.

If all you really want to do is eat funnel cake and throw it back up, you’ll be excited to learn that Saturday is Wristband Day.

Purchase a 10-ride wristband for $30 between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Note you must meet the height requirement, Shawty, and your 10 ride vouchers expire at 6 p.m

Similarly, Sunday is Discount Ride Day and Fun Factory Day. This means the first 2000 people through the gate on Sunday get in free courtesy of Fun Factory. All rides are discounted, as well.

Also on Sunday, is the 9th Annual Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety’s “Who’s Got the Heat” Chili Cook-off Fundraiser from 4 to 6 p.m.

You can purchase samples and proceeds will benefit the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital Patient’s Transportation fund.

In addition to the contests and rides, fair attendees can anticipate live entertainment and daily exhibits related to horticulture, hobbies and crafts, livestock and poultry, student art, bonsai, photography, orchids, and more.

Fair Hours are as follows:

• Thursday 5 to 11 p.m.
• Friday 5 p.m. to midnight
• Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight
• Sunday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Admission for adults is $7, except for pre-sale or on Sunday, in which case it’s $5.

Keiki age 5 to 11 are $3 and children under four get in free.

Have an idea for a fun, funny or thought-provoking story or topic? Get in touch: we want to hear from you. – Vanessa (@mauinow.com)