Country Fair Welcomes Voyagers At Beach

Waimanalo Country Fair this weekend will have a special guest in attendance as the crowds will welcome the Hokule’a voyaging canoe to Waimanalo Beach Park on its tour of the Islands.

A water greeting and “welcome home” ceremony are planned for Nainoa Thompson and crew at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, and onboard tours of the revered vessel are scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The canoe is sailing around the state and will depart for Tahiti next May on its worldwide voyage. Stops and public tours also are planned this month for Kualoa, Kahana and Kailua Beach (visit hokulea.org).

Sponsored by the city, the Waimanalo Construction Coalition and others, the ninth annual fair runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at the park, featuring a celebrity dunking booth (noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday), Nalo’s Booty Contest (5:30 p.m. Saturday) and motorcycle awards (5:30 p.m. Sunday).

The event also has the popular E.K. Fernandez rides and midway, including the Jungle Twist and the Oahu debut of the Magic Maze. Families can expect to enjoy the food booths, live music, crafts and free parking.