I was browsing through my Facebook stream when a notification came it. It is an invitation from our friends, the Gera’s. We are invited to their annual Halloween Party. This reminded me that Halloween is just around the corner.
Does you family celebrate Halloween? Some do and some don’t. I am not particularly fond of the Halloween itself, but I do enjoy seeing my kids dress up in costumes and have a blast trick-or-treating. Therefore, year after year our family go various Halloween events, and it is always fun.
There are some alternatives to Halloween events, such as Fall Festivals, Carnivals and visits to the Pumpkin Patch.
Whatever you celebrate, be it Halloween or Fall Festival, the important thing is to enjoy it as a family because these are such memory making events. Remember, kids grow so fast. You should see the collection of photos we had through the years, with my kids dressed up in different costumes year after year, it is heartwarming to look at. Maybe I should post some on Facebook (smile).
Before I get too distracted talking about my kids, what I really want to share with you are the Family Friendly Halloween and Fall Festivals happening on Maui so you can attend some of them. Here is the round-up, pick a couple to go to and enjoy!
The Emmanuel Lutheran School’s 14th annual Pumpkin Festival will be held this Friday and Saturday (October 21 and 22) on the school campus at 520 W. One St. There will be a Pumpkin Patch filled with hundreds of pumpkins for purchase, game booths, a Happy House, a Kids’ Store and jumping castles. For the older crowd, there will be live entertainment, food, crafters and a Country Store filled with homemade items. The festival runs from 5 to 10 p.m. the first day and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the second day
The Montessori Montessori Hale O Keiki school in Kihei presents a Family Halloween Dance Party on Saturday, October 22nd from 5pm to 8pm on its North Kihei Campus at Trinity-by-the Sea Church, 100 Kulanihakoi Street with free admission!
Haku Baldwin Fall Festival is on Sunday, October 23rd at 9am to 3pm. The Haku Baldwin Center invites everyone to join them for a day of family filled FUN at their Fall Harvest Festival in Makawao. The fun includes a Craft Fair, Farmers Market, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Games, Arts & Crafts, Haunted House, Raffle, Bake Sale, Food, Beanie Baby Pet Adoption, Face Painting, Balloon Animals and a Keiki Halloween Costume Contest for ages 0-12. The contest begins at 9:30am, so bring your keiki in costume you can wear yours too *No Pets Allowed*
Maui Mall in Kahului is having a Halloween Fun Night. The event runs from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 28, and features a magic show at 3 p.m., a costume parade at 4 p.m., and an annual Keiki Costume Contest at 7 p.m.
Queen Kaahumanu Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center in Kahului offers a Halloween Family Fun day on Sunday, October 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. The event features a magic show at 3 p.m., a costume parade at 4 p.m., as well as face painting, balloon artistry, giveaways, and more.
Maui Ocean Center Trick-or-Treat in the park on October 30 & 31. Keiki ages 3-12 can scoop up a goodie bag filled with treats in the Maui Ocean Treasures gift shop. Come watch our talented SCUBA divers carve pumpkins underwater on Monday, October 31. Presentation times are at 11:30am in the Blacktip Exhibit and at 1:00pm in the Open Ocean Exhibit. These activities are complimentary with aquarium admission.
Piilani Village Shopping Center in Kihei is also having a Maui’s Family Friendly Halloween on Monday, October 31 from 6p-8p. Live Music by DÄjê vu DJ by Next Level Entertainment, Magic w/ Timothy Wenk, Brenton Keith and his Bag of Tricks, Trunk O Treat, Maui Classic Cruisers, Candy Treats, County of Maui & HandsOn Maui Face Painting, Kihei Youth Center, games with prizes. with Yuki Lei Sugimura and Maui’s MorningShow.
Paia Trick or Treat starts at 5:00 pm and ends at 7:00pm. All of Paia’s businesses are offering candy and treats for trick or treating. Costume Contest is at 5 pm. There will be a Keiki Costume Contest at Flatbread. Win Prizes!
In Lahaina, the 2011 Halloween celebration will kick off with the 33rd annual Keiki Halloween Costume parade. Children will meet at 4:15 p.m. near the Papalaua Street intersection to line up for the parade. The parade itself begins at 4:30 p.m., proceeding along Front Street, past the Wharf Cinema Center and ending at the Banyan Tree Park. A stage will be set up where children can show off their costumes, receive a ribbon for participating and a free bag of goodies to start off their night of trick-or-treating. There will be ghost stories appropriate for children, face painting, costume contest and live music at Banyan Tree Park and nearby Campbell Park.
The Lahaina Cannery Mall will also hosts a keiki costume contest, along with trick-or-treating, face painting, and crafts. They will be giving away more than a dozen prizes for four different age groups (0-2, 3 & 4, 5-8, and 9-12) plus scariest costume, cutest costume and most-creative costume. Trick-or-treating at the mall kicks off at 5 p.m. on Monday, October 31, followed by family magic from the Kupanaha performers and a keiki costume contest at 6 p.m.
Last but not the least is the Calvary Carnival at Calvary Chapel South Maui.This carnival is a fun alternative to Halloween celebration and will be held at 575 S. Kihei Rd (Where Maui Lu is), from 6:00PM to 8:30PM. Everyone is invited. Kids and adults, come in costume but are requested not to wear the scary ones. There will be game booths, contests, and lots and lots of candies. Admission is free.
