Top 10 things to do on Big Island for July 4-10: Plenty of family fun planned for 4th of July

Looking for fun festivities for the entire family this 4th of July? The Big Island has you covered in abundance.

Parker Ranch is hosting its 61st annual July 4th Rodeo & Horse Races. Gates open at 7:30 a.m. and tha day includes all your favorite fast-paced paniolo competitions along with local food, crafts, keiki activities and more.

The Hot Rides Expo in Hilo invites community members beginning at 10 a.m. to Hilo Bayfront for cool coupés, rad roadsters, awesome autos and other mighty machines as vintage, classic and futuristic vehicles roll into the mauka soccer fields.

It’s perfect for gearheads and anyone who appreciates a nice set of wheels. Plus, there will be live music, food trucks and more.

Historic Kailua Village will once again be the stage for a patriotic party in full island style as it hosts the annual Independence Day Parade winding along Kuakini Highway and Ali‘i Drive starting at 6 p.m., featuring a colorful procession of floats, community groups, marching bands and keiki.

There’s also the Downtown Hilo Improvement Association’s 4th of July Block Party at the end of Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo and annual 4th of July celebrations at Kings’ Shops — including the 33rd annual Great Waikōloa Rubber Duckie Race — and Queens’ Marketplace in Waikōloa.

And you and the fam will likely share their fair share of “oohs” and “ahs” during the main events — professional fireworks shows over Hilo Bay and Kailua Bay, each starting at 8 p.m.

Check out our top 10 things to do for July 4-10 to get more information about all the scheduled 4th of July fun.

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No. 1 — 61st annual July 4th Rodeo & Horse Races (Waimea, July 4)

When: Gates open at 7:30 a.m.

Location: Parker Ranch Arena, 67-1349 Ala ʻŌhiʻa St.

This iconic celebration brings together generations of paniolo and families to honor Waimea’s rich ranching heritage and the spirit of the 4th of July. It’s a beloved tradition that showcases the time-honored skills of the Hawaiian cowboy through fast-paced, crowd-favorite competitions such as horse races, ranch mugging, team roping, poʻo wai u and more. It’s a day of camaraderie, culture and good old-fashioned paniolo pride. Local food, craft vendors, keiki activities and Parker Ranch commemorative items available at the Paniolo Preservation Society booth will also be part of the day’s festivities. Advance tickets are just $10 at Kamuela Hardwoods, Paniolo Preservation Society and Waimea Butcher Shop. Online tickets are $12. Tickets at the gate are $15.

More info/online tickets: Visit the Parker Ranch website.

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No. 2 — Hot Rides Expo (Hilo, July 4)

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields (mauka fields), off Kamehameha Avenue

Come down to Hilo Bayfront to celebrate 4th of July by perusing a selection of vintage, classic and futuristic vehicles while having some good old-fashioned family fun. Live music will be performed by Saddle Road Band, Quartz, Pōki‘i Seto and Always Free. Food trucks and children’s activities, including water slides and bounce houses, also will be available at Hilo Bayfront Soccer Fields. All show vehicles also are welcome to participate for free and can roll in beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the former gas station on the corner of Kamehameha Avenue and Pauahi Street.

More info: Call Hawai‘i County Department of Parks & Recreation’s Culture and Education Division at 808-961-8706 or click here.

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No. 3 — Annual 4th of July Celebration and 33rd annual Great Waikōloa Rubber Duckie Race (Waikōloa, July 4)

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: Kings’ Shops, 250 Waikōloa Beach Drive

Join the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai‘i and Kings’ Shops to celebrate freedom and unity with the rubber duckie race and much more. Adopt your duck today for a chance to win more than $20,000 in prizes. Get ready for some fun with the Quack Dynasty — with some watermelon eating, shave ice munching, duck waddling and calling and a little beard competition probably in the mix. Plus, there’s live entertainment, a scavenger hunt, local artisan and food vendors, keiki activities and a lot more. The first 300 participants will receive a duck call.

More info: To adopt your rubber duckies, click here. Get additional information about the events by calling 808-886-8811.

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No. 4 — Annual 4th of July Extravaganza (Waikōloa, July 4)

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Queens’ Marketplace, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Drive

This free event features live music with local bands, keiki carnival games, face painting and more. Enjoy live performances by Tomi Isobe & Blues Dogs, Kingside and Kenny T & Band. There will also be sidewalk sales and mall merchant promotions as tenants spill out of their storefronts with special deals, clearance items and featured merchandise.

More info: Visit the Queens’ Marketplace website.

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No. 5 — 4th of July Block Party (Hilo, July 4)

When: Noon to 8:30 p.m.

Location: End of Kamehameha Avenue, downtown Hilo

After you’ve had a chance to check out the vintage vehicles, classic cars and futuristic wheels during Hot Rides Expo on Bayfront or even before you head over to take part in the expo festivities, be sure to stop by and check out the patriotic family fun presented by Downtown Hilo Improvement Association. The event will include live entertainment, food trucks, keiki activities, craft vendors and much more.

More info: Contact Ivory at 808-217-2794.

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No. 6 — Kailua Village Independence Day Parade and Independence Day Extravaganza (Kailua-Kona, July 4)

When: Parade begins at 6 p.m.; fireworks begin at 8 p.m.

Location: Downtown Kailua-Kona

Celebrate the 4th of July in true island style with patriotic festivities in historic Kailua Village. The annual parade will wind along Kuakini Highway and Ali‘i Drive, showcasing the spirit of freedom, unity and aloha with a colorful procession of floats, community groups, marching bands and keiki. Make your way to Kailua Bay by 8 p.m. — or find another good viewing spot — for an extravaganza of fireworks during a professional pyrotechnics show. Some road closures will be in effect from 5:45 to 8:15 p.m.

More info: Visit the Kailua Village Parade Association website or click here.

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No. 7 — Hilo Bay Blast (Hilo, July 4)

When: 8 p.m.

Location: Hilo Bay

Head down to Hilo Bayfront with a lawnchair or blanket — or find a spot nearby with a good view — and don’t miss this professional fireworks exhibition with all the “rocket’s red glare” and “bombs bursting in air” for which you could ask. The Hawai‘i County Band will accompany the patriotic performance, presenting live music with the fireworks from Mo‘oheau Park bandstand. Music begins at 7 p.m. For those not near the bandstand, patriotic music synchronized with the fireworks show will be aired on KWXX at 94.7 FM.

More info: Call Hawai‘i County Department of Parks & Recreation’s Culture and Education Division at 808-961-8706 or click here.

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No. 8 — 48th annual Shakespeare in the Park Festival: William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” (Hilo, July 5-20)

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays

Location: University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center lawn, 200 Kāwili St.

A sad comedy … a funny tragedy. Hilo Community Players invites you to step into a story of jealousy, loss, love and miraculous redemption under the stars. Set against a backdrop of courtly drama and pastoral joy, this tale reminds us that even the coldest winters can give way to spring. Shows are free and open to the public; however, donations are appreciated. Bring a chair, bring your friends and experience the magic. The Kid-Shakes version, “The (Wacky) Winter’s Tale,” will be presented at 4 p.m. Saturdays and noon on Sundays the same dates.

More info: Visit the Hilo Community Players website.

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No. 9 — Kamehameha Canoe Club Hilo 50th Anniversary Celebration (Hilo, July 6)

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; potluck at noon

Location: Kamehameha Canoe Club hālau, south end of Hilo Bayfront, nearest to Suisan Fish Market

Join club members to celebrate a half-century of paddling together. There will be live music, talk story with kūpuna about wa‘a geneology, double-hull canoe rides, a dunking booth, memorabilia, a silent auction, photo opportunities with wa‘a cutouts, club merchandise and more. This event is open to the public, so spread the word. The club can’t wait to celebrate with everyone. Bring a favorite dish to share and enjoy at the potluck.

More info: Email Kamehameha Canoe Club Hilo at kcchilo@gmail.com.

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No. 10 — Coding Camp (Waikōloa, July 7-11)

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day

Location: Hawai‘i Keiki Museum, K104, 69-250 Waikōloa Beach Drive

Coding is a fun and useful tool that can open up a world of opportunities. All keiki ages 8 to 15 years old, with no experience necessary, are welcome to attend this 5-day camp, during which they will use block coding, learn Javascript and Python while exploring, experiencing and learning coding. Cost is $250 per child.

More info/registration: Visit the Hawai‘i Keiki Museum website.

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Check for yourself to see what’s happening around the Big Island

We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/
• Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/
• Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/
• Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/
• East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
• Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events
• Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo (on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041333509786
• Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Honoka‘a: https://www.honokaapeople.com/
• Kahilu Theatre, Waimea: https://kahilu.org/
• Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona: https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/experience/
• Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona: https://www.konacommons.com/events
• Lava Shack, Pāhoa (on Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/lavashackpahoa/?hl=en
• Lyman Museum, Hilo: https://lymanmuseum.org/
• MyBar Kona, Kailua-Kona: https://www.mybarkona.com/
• Palace Theater, Hilo: https://hilopalace.com/
• University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
• Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
• Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/