Waimea Fall Festival Set for Oct. 13

Locally-grown pumpkins will be among the many items available for purchase at the second annual Waimea Fall Festival. Courtesy photo.

Welcome the fall season at the second annual Waimea Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Waimea District Park. Admission is free.

This year, the fun-filled family festival, hosted by Waimea Athletics with the support of the Waimea Community Association and Parker Ranch, will feature locally grown pumpkins, a farmers’ market, keiki games and activities, entertainment, Hawaiian crafts and demonstrations, a craft sale, exhibits and lots of great food.

Keiki will enjoy a full day of fun at the second annual Waimea Fall Festival on Oct. 13, 2018. Courtesy photo.

Keiki will enjoy a full day of fun with face painting, a climbing wall, outdoor field games, horseback rides and a petting zoo. A wristband game zone will feature carnival games, such as bean bag toss, milk bottle knockdown and a fishing wall. Wristbands also will be available for the inflatables and waterslides.

Be sure to bring lots of sunscreen, a swimsuit towel and beach chairs.

Live entertainment will be featured throughout the day at the second annual Waimea Fall Festival. The fun-filled family festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2108. Courtesy photo.

Live entertainment will be featured throughout the day, with Ginger Bertelmann as emcee. This year’s musical lineup includes Hoaloha, Lorenzoʻs Army, Mana Christian Ohana Youth Praise Group, Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko (taiko drums) and more.

Food booths offering a variety of mouthwatering delights will be plentiful, with island BBQ, bentos and sushi, Chinese noodles and teriyaki BBQ sticks, Waimea greens and other local favorites, such as poke nachos and Hawaiian plates. There will be lots of beverages, Braddah pops, mamaki tea and shave ice to keep everyone cool. For dessert, check out the gourmet cupcakes and topping bar and the wide array of fresh baked goods, including malasadas and fresh-baked pumpkin pies.

Food booths offering a variety of mouth-watering delights will be plentiful at the second annual Waimea Fall Festival. Courtesy photo.

The Waimea Fall Festival will host numerous community organizations, including Alex & Duke DeRego Foundation, Hawaii Wildlife Center, Family Support Services, The Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project, North Hawaii Hospice, Parker Ranch, Pōhakuloa Training Area Environmental and Recycling Programs and Thelma Parker Memorial Public & School Library. Learn about the wide variety of services and resources offered by these organizations and find out how you can help.

Scrip for keiki activities and food/beverages can be purchased in advance online. Scrip also will be available at the event.

Wristbands for the keiki game zone ($10 each) and inflatables/waterslides ($20 each) will be available at the event.

Last year’s event attracted about 5,000 people and organizers are planning for an even larger event this year.

“We’re very excited to bring this festival to the community again this year,” said Theresa Fernandez, executive director of the Waimea Fall Festival. “Supporting our island community, businesses, education, organizations and youth are some of the goals weʻre working on as we present this family friendly, community event.”

For more information, contact Fernandez at waimeapumpkinpatch@gmail.com or (808) 989-7182, or visit waimeapumpkinfestival.com.

Waimea District Park is located at 67-1315 Ala ‘Ohia Road.