52nd Annual Makawao Rodeo Parade, July 1

Makawao Town announces the 52nd Annual Makawao Rodeo Parade “Ka Nahono Paniolo” (Past, Present & Future Paniolos) scheduled for Saturday July 1, 2017.

July 4th Parade in Makawao town.  PC: Blair Merten.

The Stick Horse Race for all ages starts at 8:30 a.m. and the parade begins at 9 a.m. The parade starts on Baldwin Avenue, marches through Makawao town and ends on Makawao Avenue at the Eddie Tam Gym. From a paniolo family, seven time Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner and two Grammy Award winner Jeff Peterson will be performing during this year’s parade.

This year’s Grand Marshall is Henry A. Silva, a retired Haleakalā Ranch paniolo for 22 years. Silva is a talented rawhide braider and in 1989 the State of Hawaiʻi selected him to demonstrate his braiding skills at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C.  When he’s not in the saddle or braiding, Henry can be found shoeing horses. Silva said he learned these skills out of necessity. The Grand Marshall is selected by the Maui Roping Club, producers of the Makawao Rodeo which will take place from June 30 to July 2 at Oskie Rice Arena.

The Makawao Rodeo Parade committee has also selected as a Parade Special Honoree Rose Freitas the 2006 Cowgirl Hall of Fame, a national award for the Paniolo world.

Stick Horse race prep at the Makawo parade. PC: Blair Mertens

This year there will also be face painting for keiki, a Makawao merchants store and window decorating contest, a book fair and craft making at the Makawao Library, Parade T-shirts for sale at the Makawao History Museum, and Makawao Hongwanji’s annual Rummage Sale.

Applications for participation in the parade are available at the following locations: Makawao History Museum, Komoda Store & Bakery, Haiku Hay & Grain, Fukushima Store, Wai Ulu Farm, Pukalani Superette, Kula Hardware & Garden, Fong Store, Del’s Farm Supply, and Maui Feed & Farm. Applications will also be available online soon or you may contact Duane Hamamura (808) 268-8729 dhamamaui@gmail.com. Entries must be received by June 15, 2017.

The Veterans Cemetery will be open for visitation and parade participants and marchers are not allowed to park at the cemetery. Staging for the parade will be on Aala Street and on the empty lot across from the Makawao Veterans Cemetery.

Parking is available at Oskie Rice Arena with a free shuttle to Makawao town from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Parade Judging Categories include: Best Parade Horse, Best Mounted Rider, Best Mounted Pairs, Best Mounted Group, Best Mounted Keiki, Best Costumed Rider, Most Unusual Entry, Best Musical Entry, Best Float Entry, and Best Representation of Theme.