Makawao Town 3rd Friday Celebration

On every 3rd Friday of the month Maui's charming "upcountry" town of Makawao hosts a block party with loads of food and crafts vendors, as well as free live entertainment and music. This family friendly event takes place on the historic Baldwin Avenue, which closes to vehicle traffic and becomes a pedestrian market place where you can stroll and experience a great mixture of local culture. Often the event will take on a fun theme according to the time of the year and closest holidays.

Highlights:
A free monthly block party celebration in the charming "cowboy" community of Makawao, featuring live entertainment, music, food, and lots of shops and vendors open for this once monthly evening of special fun.

Location:
Makawao, Maui, Hawaii

Hours:
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 3rd Friday evening of each month

This "Friday Town Celebration" is part of a series of 4 regular Friday celebrations, each hosted by a different community and highlighting the local merchants and culture of the area. The town of Makawao hosts the 3rd Friday event and does so in style with multiple performance stages and 3 blocks of this usually sleepy community coming alive with music, dance, arts and culture. The event always has something different and surprising to offer. One month may feature a classic car show, and another may be holiday themed, or feature an extra special musical performance. The event starts at 6 p.m. and by 7 o'clock the crowd is lively and bustling with excitement of friends coming together in laughter.

For the Maui visitor, this event highlights the beauty of these small islands and this rural community and its' talented locals. Makawao's history as the town that hosts the States rodeo every July 4th is evident in the look of "old western" store fronts and the aroma of fresh grilling going on in the streets.

The festivities stretch from the area of the public library on Makawao Avenue around the corner down the Baldwin Avenue to the intersection of Brewer Road with something to see around every corner and most businesses staying open until 9 p.m. .

Local Tip:
The evenings' best availability of foods without waiting lines and parking without hassle is early so get there early around 6 pm if you can.

Weblink:
http://mauifridays.com/makawao/

Directions:

• From central Maui: Drive up the Haleakala Highway aka HI-route 37 for 10 minutes (approximately 6 miles) looking for "Makawao" signs, and turn left at the 3rd traffic light intersection onto the Makawao Avenue. Follow Makawao Avenue through the residential area and begin looking for parking as you reach the post office. The town celebration is at the cross streets of Makawao and Baldwin Avenues and parking is either street side, or in one of the parking lots along Makawao Avenue.
• From Haiku area: Find the cross roads of Kokomo Road and Kapakalua Road, follow Kapakalua Road west bound as it turns into Makawao Avenue. As you pass the large church on your left begin looking for parking along street or in one of the parking lots on roadside. If you have not found parking by the time you cross the "speed bump" turn at your second right and then look for parking at lots on the left. From this lot there are stairs or a ramp to walk up and reach the celebration.