Marc Valentin was searching for coconut fronds. Sue Keller was unloading benches. Vince Perry was applying a fresh coat of white paint to plywood paneling, and the Hibbitt ‘ohana was busy measuring, unloading and trying to make sure everything was
Marc Valentin was searching for coconut fronds. Sue Keller was unloading benches. Vince Perry was applying a fresh coat of white paint to plywood paneling, and the Hibbitt ‘ohana was busy measuring, unloading and trying to make sure everything was in place.
Those were just final preparations taking place yesterday afternoon for the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair, which opens today in the Vidinha Stadium parking lot.
Members of the Garden Island Orchid Society were also in full swing, unloading and setting up the annual display for judges, who will make their rounds — and decisions — before the gates open.
Across the way, American Youth Soccer Association practice took place as usual, oblivious to the hustle and bustle that had the area buzzing.
“It’s good to have a head start instead of coming in last minute,” said Jeri Di Pietro as she hung the banner for Malama Maha‘ulepu.
Kelly Gooding, a Kaua‘i Farm Bureau member, joked that Perry has been at the fair for the past four years and the booths with white panels were all painted by him from his previous appearances.
Gooding was on a bicycle to troubleshoot any last-minute details.
Formal opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., at which time a special tribute will be paid to former state Rep. Ezra Kanoho for his efforts in supporting local agriculture. The gates, however, will open at 6 p.m.
The opening remarks will be followed by the semi-finals of the first-ever Kaua‘i Idol competition, sponsored in part by the Kukui Grove Shopping Center.
“We sold the business,” Mindy Hibbitt of Hot Lava sunglasses, a Kukui Grove kiosk, joked. “For this weekend, we’re at the fair. Then, we buy back the business on Monday.”
Joining Mindy is her sister-in-law, Heidi Hibbitt, who handles the Sun Cell kiosk at Kukui Grove. They will be offering cell phone accessories.
New to this year’s fair is the merging of the produce/home-making tent with the commercial tent.
“This arrangement allows for a fire lane that covers the length of the tent,” said longtime volunteer Soupbone Kashiwabara.
A wide variety of family entertainment and activities will be available at the fair, which runs Thursday through Sunday.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and close at midnight on Thursday and Friday.
On Saturday, gates open at noon and the fair runs until midnight, with many community organizations offering special entry offers as well as specials for the E.K. Fernandez rides and Midway. The fair opens at noon and closes at 11 p.m. Sunday.
“Right now, we’re still trying to figure out where to get coconut fronds, but come 6 p.m., it will all come together,” Valentin said yesterday.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
