The Halloween in Lahaina Keiki Parade is a free, family-friendly event, and all are welcome to participate.

LAHAINA – Everyone is invited to join in the Halloween in Lahaina Keiki Parade. This will be the 37th year celebration of the Lahaina community coming together to host a grand and enduring Halloween event for keiki.

According to Joe Pluta, who has been the master of ceremonies for all but one year, “This will be a very large event this year, especially since the celebration is on Saturday! All Maui keiki are invited, and we are planning a fun, safe event.”

Keiki and families are invited to line up on the corner of Papalaua and Front streets at 4:15 p.m.

The parade will be led by Grand Marshals Mark and Judy Ellman, owners of Mala Tavern, Honu Seafood and Pizza and their newest location, Frida’s Mexican Beach House.

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa and his wife, Anne; Lahaina bagpiper Paul Tangonan; and the Lahainaluna High School Marching Band will also join the hundreds of adorable children parading in full costume.

The parade moves along Front Street past the Wharf Cinema Center and ends at Banyan Tree Park. Once keiki arrive, they will walk across the stage to show off their costumes and provide parents an opportunity for pictures.

The children will receive customary Halloween treats and a congratulatory ribbon, and enjoy keiki activity tables that will be set up in Banyan Tree Park.

Sponsors have arranged several fun activities, such as face painting and balloon designs, for the parade keiki.

Front Street will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking from Baker to Prison streets from 3:30 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 31.

Lahaina’s Halloween keiki parade is one of the largest Halloween celebrations in the Pacific. The sponsors encourage all children who participate in costumes to be safe and have fun, but to keep in mind the tropical temperature and wear an appropriate mask for good vision.

The event is sponsored and organized by Soroptimist International of West Maui, National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, and the Rotary Club of Lahaina, Lahaina Sunrise and Lahaina Sunset.

The organizers thank 5A Rent-A-Space for providing cold water and ice for participants, and Hard Rock Caf for offering dessert certificates for the Lahainaluna High School Marching Band.

For more information, contact West Maui Soroptimist Jill Holley at Jill@kidneyhi.org.