The Hilo County Fair–Excitement of Twilight to Evening

 

 

 

There’s nothing like enjoying a few hours at our local county fair in Hilo to enjoy a few hours of pure pleasure. Its always fun to sample some food greasy fried food, play some of arcade games, view the cheesy displays and shows and of course go on the thrill rides. I love the fair in Hilo because our photo group puts on an amazing effort to showcase our members works, and it is a pretty talented group of artists with varied photo interests.

 

 

 

 

The best part of the fair for me is walking around the fair and taking photos of things that grab my attention like the rides, the people and quirky things that happen spontaneously. I especially love the timeframe from twilight to evening when the lights come up and everything becomes more alive and graphic, there’s a real sense of excitement in the air.

 

 

The magic twilight hour approaches, showing dramatic skies to this festive scene.

Even the food stands like this french fry booth becomes a visual delight with its colorful and graphic elements drawing you in, not to mention the smell of fried food.

 

 

At night all the colorful and flashing lights heighten the details and attracts your eye to see everything that pops up and draws your immediate attention.

 

 

 

 

The gaming arcade is brightly lit and filled with color and bold patterns with tacky stuffed animals, beckoning everyone to come and play for a few minutes or more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the sweet smiles and squeals of laughter coming from the merry –go-round.  There’s always a photo opportunity with animated animals , kids and bright lights blurring details that give a sense of motion.

 

 

A little girl with a Hello Kitty fetish has acquired a whole collection of new dolls while dispensing all her save coins at this venue, I think she wants to win as many kitties as possible before she empties out her purse completely .

 

 

 

The games attendant sweetly smiles early in the evening before the crush of kids wipes out her energy and enthusiasm.

 

 

What is it about coming up to the the ferris wheel, I’m always attracted to come up closely and take a photo,  I guess this would be your standard photo that everyone associates with being at any fair.

 

 

It was a fun day at the fair in Hilo and I enjoyed myself and I think I got some decent pictures out of it also.

Mealani's Taste of the Hawaiian Range - A foodie Festival

For food enthusiasts living or visiting Hawaii island, this last Friday’s Taste of the Hawaiian range at the Hilton Waikoloa Village was an amazing tasting event to experience.



(The audience awaits anxiously for the conch shell to announce the start of this tasting event)



With over 35 of Hawaii’s best restaurants participating, the entire event was a feast for the eyes and of course the tummy. Each restaurant was given a different portion of locally grown grass-fed beef and they delivered amazing tasty pupus (appetizers) to wow the audience.



(Town restaurant presents its Hawaiian version of shepherds pie with mutton)





The Taste of the Hawaiian Range is an event that focuses on promoting and educating audiences to support local production and visit markets, restaurants and providers of locally grown produce and sustainable grass-fed beef.










A few audience members were skittish about trying beef mountain oysters that were presented by the Honolulu Burger Company, but those that were brave enough to take a bite were pleasantly surprised by the onolicious and varied textures from this pupu (appetizer)



(Mountain oysters from Honolulu Burger company)





There were many produce providers and growers in attendance including local CSA’s that service the West Hawaii county markets. The variety of food grown in Hawaii is outstanding and quite amazing when purchased fresh from the market to prepare a meal.







The Mauna Kea Beach Resort Hotel presents their cut of beef, oxtail soup and just-poured broth that smelled and tasted amazing – its all about the broth in this soup!







(A detail shot of the oxtail soup below, what a taste!)






Even edible fuschia flowers were presented on this delicious manapua made with bottom round, a sweet guava sauce and baby bok choy kimchee from the Blue Dragon restaurant.







A fun and simple presentation of fruit and sweet desserts by a local purveyor who offered banana pops with shredded coconut and chocolate and sweet potato ball with macadamia nuts - a perfect dessert.









Lots of vendors were participating at this locally grown event including coffee and tea growers, candies, fruit and vegetable farmers, honey and even a saddle maker Ka Hana No’eau showing their hand made saddles below.




This popular event seems to be getting bigger every year and support for locally grown produce, providers, markets and restaurants is clearly becoming a norm on Hawaii island. When there are so many amazing restaurants supporting island growers, it’s a nice way of keeping the local economy thriving – one tasty bite at a time.