LIHUE — One of the most important pieces to the Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair is in today’s The Garden Island newspaper. “The fair opens Thursday, and this year, there are a lot of changes,” said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, fair coordinator
LIHUE — One of the most important pieces to the Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair is in today’s The Garden Island newspaper.
“The fair opens Thursday, and this year, there are a lot of changes,” said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, fair coordinator for the Kauai County Farm Bureau. “The new arrangement allows EK Fernandez to bring in more rides for Kauai’s fairgoers to enjoy. Look for the farm fair tabloid in the newspaper to see how the fair has changed.”
One of the biggest changes is the way people approach the fair.
“The simplest way to remember is that Hoolako Street is now restricted to just people with permits, and those with Americans of Disabilities Act permits,” said Laurie Ho, Kauai County Farm Bureau president. “Everyone else will need to approach the fair parking through Kaana Street where the police department and the courthouse is located. Guards will be on duty to help guide people. Please refer to the map in the fair tabloid which comes out with the paper.”
McFerrin-Warrack said people bringing in items for the fair, Thursday morning only, will use the same route and location they’ve used in the past.
Fairgoers enter the fair through just one entrance at the end of the parking area and in the four-lane exit road from Vidinha Stadium. The attendees will be greeted by a single row of food vendors as well as the newest EK Fernandez offering, the Wave Swinger, and the entertainment stage.
“Having the food booth consolidated to just one row eliminates the congestion (hopefully) of people waiting,” McFerrin-Warrack said. “And having it next to the entrance allows people to get food to go on their way to their cars.”
Jerry Ornellas, past KCFB president, said the food booths need more exposure, especially since they use and promote locally-produced items such as the Sanchez burgers by the Kapaa Pop Warner Association, and the roast pork featuring Kaneshiro pork from the Koloa Pop Warner Association.
Kalei Balanon, human resources manager for EK Fernandez, said the firm is also recruiting more than 20 workers for the fair.
“We just hired Khaya Bunao who said she can use the extra money before leaving for college in Colorado,” Balanon said. “Interested people can come down to the fairgrounds and apply. Applicants for the ride attendants are required to take a drug test, and we are equipped to perform the tests right here.”
Other positions include cashiers, game attendants, and stock for merchandising and food.
The Kapaa High School Jr.ROTC program had more than 20 people helping at the Saturday set up.
“We have 21 cadets here to help set up,” said Chaye Gacusan of the Kapaa Jr.ROTC. “We’ll be here throughout the fair, too. Our chores are to keep the trash from overflowing and helping with the recycling.”
The Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair opens Thursday with the opening ceremonies at 6 p.m., when longtime farm bureau member Roy Oyama and his family will be honored.
The fair continues each day through Sunday at Vidinha Stadium.
