89th Maui Fair is A “Timeless Tradition”

By Kristin Hashimoto

Having a great time on swings, image courtesy of Maui Fair

Warning: serious sugar rush ahead, possible vomiting, screaming, crying, and of course, laughter. It’s time for the 89^th Annual Maui Fair.  From Thursday September 29, to October 2, food booths, rides, demonstrations, art exhibits, competitions, live entertainment, robotics, bonsai, and livestock will all be gathered at the War Memorial Fairgrounds in Wailuku, for this epic community event.

With approximately 100,000 people in attendance, the chaotic and at times insufficient parking can be a deterrent to some.  However, if you’re willing to brave the crying children, the impossible to ignore yells of beleaguered parents and the inescapable scent of vomit in the air, this fair can be a really awesome event and later, memory.

The Dragon Coaster is E.K. Fernandez’s newest ride. The Super Sizzler, Music Express, Zipper and Pharaoh’s Fury among many others will still be at the fair. For the younger ones, the bouncy castles and merry-go-round will be more suitable fun.

The food choices are immense with community fundraising efforts all vying for your custom. Want Hawaiian food? How about Mexican? Maybe a little Filipino or Japanese food would suit your tastebuds better? Whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s being spun out on fine sugar candy, losing fillings on caramel or candied apples, filling up on funnel cakes, or chowing down on chow fun, this fair will have it all.

Getting some thrills, image courtesy of Maui Fair

This event begins at 4 p.m. on the 29^th and will end each night at 11 p.m. For more information visit www.mauifair.com. For discounted tickets, visit any American Savings Bank location on Maui, and the Maui Fair Administrative Office for pre-sale $5 tickets. Hurry, as these tickets will only be available until the 15^th. Children aged four years and younger get in free. If you’d like to save on parking, check out the mauifair.com website for details on their shuttle bus service from select satellite locations. Or call, the Queen Ka’ahumanu Customer Service Center at 877-4325, or the Roberts Hawaii bus at 871-2639.