KAILUA-KONA — As the 33rd annual Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade prepares to get underway next weekend, anybody interested in participating has just one more day to submit an application.
The deadline to take part in the parade — slated to roll through town Dec. 9 — is Friday.
Applications for nonprofits, commercial entities and elected officials are available at www.ParadesInKona.com and the West Hawaii Civic Center’s Building C in the second floor administration office.
Barbara Kossow, co-chair of the Kailua-Kona Community Parade Association, said they had 45 completed applications for the parade, meaning the organizers could still take in another 20 or 25 entrants.
While commercial parade participants have an entry fee of $150, Kossow said nonprofits and community groups are asked to donate non-perishable food to benefit The Food Basket.
The event will feature music, local businesses and community organizations all coming together in a festive mood. This year’s parade theme is “The Magic of Christmas – Kona style.”
“It brings the community together in the spirit of the holiday,” Kossow said.
And as every grand parade needs a grand marshal, the title this year goes to “Uncle Bo” Campos.
Campos is president of Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club and race commissioner of the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association.
The club hosts the Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Canoe Races, the largest long-distance canoe race in Hawaii, attracting more than 2,500 paddlers, their family and support crews from around the world.
The annual races have been held in Kona since 1971 and take place over the Labor Day holiday.
“It’s a great honor,” Campos said Wednesday on being tapped to lead the parade, something he didn’t know he was even being considered for.
Campos said he loves getting kids and kupuna alike involved in outrigger canoe racing, saying the state’s team sport is more than just good exercise.
“You’re giving them a little bit of culture and a little athletics,” he said.
Kossow said when organizers are looking for a parade grand marshal, they’re looking for someone who’s done a lot for the community and made great contributions.
“And Uncle Bo has,” Kossow added.
The event kicks off at Kekuaokalani Gymnasium at 5 p.m.
There will be several announcer locations along the way, including West Hawaii Today, Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel and Hale Halawai.