Parker Ranch will celebrate its 51st annual July 4th Rodeo and Horse Races on Thursday at the Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena in Waimea.
Rodeo, horse races
on tap Thursday
Parker Ranch will celebrate its 51st annual July 4th Rodeo and Horse Races on Thursday at the Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena in Waimea.
In keeping with its tradition, Parker Ranch is honoring someone who embodies the core mission of the trust through his continuing contributions to the island community — Alex Akaum, co-founder of the Aloha Festivals Paniolo Parade and Poke Contest.
Fast paced rodeo action begins shortly after the 9 a.m. grand entry parade and continues nonstop until noon. The lineup of rodeo events features Parker Ranch cowboys joined by paniolo from ranches all around the Big Island. Events include horse races, ribbon mugging, ranch mugging, team roping, poo wai u and more.
Local food, keiki activities including pony rides and a petting zoo are planned.
Tickets are $5 per person in advance or $6 at the gate. Presale tickets are on sale now at the Parker Ranch Store in the Parker Ranch Center, Waimea. Children 10 and younger are admitted for free. For more information, call 885-7311 or visit parkerranch.com.
Gay Pride parade
slated July 6 in Hilo
July 6 is “Gay Pride Day” for Hawaii Island. The Pride parade and festival is planned for 10:30 a.m. in downtown Hilo’s Mooheau Park and bandstand. The grand marshal will be Richard Koob, the co-founder of the Kalani Honua Oceanside Retreat on Highway 137 in Puna. Koob will also be celebrating his 65th birthday.
Special guest “pioneer” will be Pat Rocco, an East Hawaii resident who helped stage the first Gay Parade in 1970 and was the first president of Christopher Street west, as well as the founder of the first Pride Festival in California. At 79, he’s among the last of the survivors of the Stonewall event that changed the world.
Participants for both the parade and festival are welcome to join in the festivities. For more information, call Natasha Johns of the Hawaii Island Pride at 217-1288 or visit hawaiiislandpride.org.
Meditation program scheduled in July
Gavin Harrison will conduct “Walking Meditation in the Wild in North Kohala” from 8:30 to 10 a.m. July 6 at Iole, the historic Bond homestead, 53-496 Iole Road in Kapaau.
Participants will experience the beauty of the land on a silent hike. The morning begins with a few minutes of silent meditation followed by a brief introduction to mindfulness and silent walking meditation. Bring a hat, hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, bottled water, a towel or cushion for rest stops in nature, raingear, mosquito repellent and small hiking backpack if desired. There is no charge; donations are appreciated.
For more information, email info@iolehawaii.com or call 889-5151.