The aroma of freshly brewed coffee will fill the air as the 10-day Kona Coffee Cultural Festival kicks off in the heart of Hawaii’s Kona region.
Since its inception in 1970, making it the longest-running food festival in the Aloha State, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival organization has sought to preserve, perpetuate and promote Kona’s unique nearly 200-year coffee heritage. The Festival and the local community embrace visitors and residents by sharing the unique history and culture of Kona coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans throughout the 10-days that celebrate the Kona coffee lifestyle.
Last year’s festival earned International Festivals &Events Association awards that recognize outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world. The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival took home five gold and one bronze award.
The festival also was named National Geographic “Best Fall Festival in the United States”, AARP “7 Fun Fall Festival Across the U.S.”,Frommer’s “Best Places to Go in 2020” and many other accolades.Lonely Planet’s Global Coffee Tour book listed Kona Coffee Cultural Festival as a world’s best coffee experience.
This year’s festival once again promises an unforgettable experience for coffee connoisseurs, tourists, and families.
The festival officially opened Friday night with the Lantern Parade.
As the sun set over Historic Kailua Village, the parade lit the way along Alii Drive with its glowing procession of light, music and color, followed by a multicultural showcase at Hale Halawai.
From today to Sunday, November 12, coffee enthusiasts, cultural aficionados, community and visitors alike will gather to celebrate the rich heritage of Kona coffee and indulge in a sensory journey through the world of coffee.
Today festivities continue with the Holualoa Village Coffee and Art Stroll. The stroll features local artists, food and of course 100% Kona Coffee. Farmers will be available to talk story about the process they use. In historic Halualoa Village from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Later this evening, the UCC Hawaii Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Competition will be held at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Six contestants will compete for the title of Miss Kona Coffee and Miss Aloha Hawaii. $50 tickets available at misskonacoffee.org
Sunday the younger wahine will compete for the titles of Mini Miss, Little Miss, Young Miss and Teen Miss Kona Coffee 3 p.m. at King Kameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Tickets available at littlemisskonacoffee.org
The festivities continue all week with Kona Coffee Farm Tours to local coffee farms, where farmers will demonstrate the coffee-making process from bean to cup.
Additionally there will be barista training, a talent show, half marathon, original movie screening and more.
Festivities will begin to wrap up on Saturday, Nov.11 with the always popular Ho‘olaulea.
The ho’olaulea is a day of Kona coffee celebration with live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and trucks, an amazing lei contest, cultural demonstrations, educational/historical displays, Kona Coffee for sampling and purchase and much more. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Makae‘o Pavilion at Old Kona Airport Park.
That evening, the grand finale of the event, A Taste of Kona will feature local Island Chefs, a silent auction with live music and dancing under the stars. This year, Grammy nominated artist LT Smooth &his band perform. Purchase tickets at www.konacoffeefest.com
On Sunday, Nov. 12, Brewing Up a Recipe at KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa. The competition is open to Professionals, Culinary Students, Amateurs, and Keiki, competing in two categories sweet and savory, using Kona coffee. Additionally, the Big Island Showcase featuring locally made products and a variety of mixed media art. This year in conjunction with the KTA Kona Coffee Recipe Contest is the Kona Coffee Expo. The symposium will present a variety of live Kona coffee demonstrations and lectures on the coffee industry.
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit konacoffeefest.com.
$5 festival admission button are available for purchase at many retail and farm locations throughout the Kona area.