Lighting of the Banyan Tree set for Saturday

The Lahainaluna High School Band will perform at the 11th annual Lighting of the Banyan Tree on Saturday.
LAHAINA – LahainaTown Action Committee will host the 11th annual Lighting of the Banyan Tree in downtown Lahaina on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-4.
Activities are slated in Banyan Tree Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Keeping with tradition, Lahaina’s historic Banyan Tree will be lit up with thousands of colored Christmas lights for the entire holiday season, from Dec. 3 to Jan. 1, 2012.
This year, LAC will design a winter wonderland for Lahaina keiki. Although there will not be snow this year, children can see “Frosty,” a real Hawaiian snowman, that will be onsite. Parents should bring cameras for this great photo opportunity.
Keiki should make their list and check it twice, as Santa will arrive at 2 p.m.
Activities for children will kick off at 2 p.m. and include cookie decorating, face painting and Christmas crafts.
LahainaTown Action Committee requests one canned or nonperishable food item for admission to the “North Pole” winter wonderland. Donated food items will be given to the Light Bringers, a nonprofit agency that was founded to help and feed the homeless/needy of West Maui In 1991.
Join in the fun with this island-style event with holiday arts, crafts and entertainment. Enjoy a holiday arts and crafts fair along with Hawaiian entertainment.
Music beginning at 10 a.m. will conclude with the Lahainaluna High School Band and the lighting of the tree by a “Santa Secret VIP” on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
The Pioneer Inn and Wharf Cinema Center will simultaneous turn on their holiday lights with the Banyan Tree.
At the event, meet Carlton Kinkade, the artist of the new 2012 Lahaina Poster. He will sign posters from 1 to 3 p.m. The winning poster features some of Lahaina’s honorable “Aunties,” who will perform hula at the event.
For more information, contact Lynn Donovan at lynn@visitlahaina.com or call (808) 667-9175.