The 34th annual Kula Festival will offer attractions to delight and entertain children and adults of all ages.

KEOKEA – This year, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Keokea is continuing its tradition of hosting a gala kickoff of the annual St. John’s Kula Festival, which is in its 34th year.

Beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, the “Starry Night” pre-festival kickoff will open its doors to ticketed guests. Proceeds from both events will be shared with “A Cup of Cold Water,” a mobile homeless outreach program, and “Na Keiki O Emalia,” an organization that helps children deal with the loss of a parent.

To give the festival weekend an exuberant start, “Starry Night” will be held Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. The event, slated in the entertainment tent on the field, will feature delicious food, wine tasting, a live auction with bidding on incredible vacations and exclusive dining events, and live music by Jimmy Mac and the Kool Kats playing the best of MoTown, surfer rock, 1960s hits and contemporary tunes (be sure to bring your dancing shoes).

In addition, guests will get the first crack at the silent auction, which will be one of the highlights of the next day’s Kula Festival.

To purchase “Starry Night” tickets, go to www.stjohnsmaui.org or call 878-1485.

The next day, Saturday, Oct. 1, the 34th annual Kula Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As always, there will be many attractions to delight and entertain children and adults of all ages, including live and silent auctions, a farmers’ market, keiki games, crafters, baked goods, a quilt show and delicious festival favorites like chow fun, hamburgers, waffles, smoked meat, vegan curry, fudge and ever-popular Portuguese bean soup!

This year’s entertainment lineup includes multiple Grammy and Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner Jeff Peterson, the Isle of Maui Pipe Band, Hula Wehena, Maui Taiko, Chop Suey Jazz Band, and Jamie Gallo and Friends, fresh from her European tour.

There will be audience participation involved with Maui Taiko, so be sure to bring your beat to the festival.