A dozen local chefs will face off during this year’s Grand Taste.

WAILUKU — We’re days away from the return of the Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair! Presented by Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB), this signature agricultural event will take place once again at War Memorial Special Events Field on Saturday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free! Parking is $5.

This year marks the 13th celebration of AgFest, bringing with it all the fun, enthusiasm and awareness of the essential role that agriculture plays in Maui’s economy, environment and lifestyle. All the of the main events are back — from the Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast, to the Grand Taste, Keiki Zone, Maui 4-H Livestock Show & Auction, Grown on Maui Farmers’ Market and Ag Education –plus a tantalizing array of food booths and food trucks.

For the second year, AgFest merges with the Maui 4-H Livestock Association to showcase all the hard work of Maui youth, members and their families.

“Maui County is the birthplace of the 4-H program in Hawaii,” said Dr. Kyle Caires, University of Hawaii Livestock Agent. “We wanted to support these keiki, our future leaders, by allowing them to complete their projects and showcase their hard work and determination!”

Celebrating its 103rd year of 4-H livestock on Maui, young participants in the 2022 Maui 4-H Youth Livestock Show will showcase a variety of animals and host an auction. See MauiAgfest.org for the schedule of events taking place in the 4-H Livestock tent from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

AgFest is all about entertainment and education, and you’ll find plenty! Keiki ready to get the wiggles out? Run them over to the free Keiki Zone, open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a colorful selection of magic shows, glitter and balloon arts, and bouncers. If that’s not enough, there’s keiki trucks and tractors for keiki fun and big, shiny commercial farm tractors and machinery on display by Mahi Pono. MCFB’s Keiki Passport will keep the young ones entertained throughout the day. Answer the questions and show your completed card for a ticket for the prize drawings. Parents may also see who’s lucky with general fair giveaways. Be sure to get a ticket at the Entertainment Stage and see the scheduled for times for the giveaways!

This year’s Grand Taste, sponsored by Ulupono Initiative, runs from 2 to 4:30 p.m. The event pits 12 local chefs against each other in an impressive display of “locavorism.” Who will win the coveted and newly named “Chef Tylun Pang Fan-Favorite” Award? Each chef selects a locally grown ingredient and creates a dish to showcase that main ingredient. Grand Taste judges give out awards for “Best Protein,” “Best Vegetarian” and “Best Overall.” Ticket holders try all 12 dishes and then vote for their favorite, with awards announced at 4 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 the day of the festival.

Another favorite event is the Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast. This special morning is a delicious way to kick off the festival with an island-style breakfast of sausage, eggs, rice and pancakes from The Fairmont Kea Lani, served up with chunks of fresh and extra sweet Maui Gold Pineapple, and coffee by OMA Coffee Roasting Co. Sponsored by Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, the event honors local farmers for their contributions to our community. This year’s Maui Legacy Farmers are Henry Monden, and the Sakagawas, Vidas and Santos families. The event is from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children 6 to 12 years old; admission is free for children five and under.

Under the Ag Education Tent, browse through information from local groups like Grow Some Good and Maui Economic Opportunity. The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources offers tips on everything from growing protea to establishing a pollinator-friendly habitat.

The Grown on Maui Farmers Market offers so many good things to fill up your reusable shopping bags! Local farmers will showcase everything from fresh Hawaiian taro to Lahaina-grown and-made chocolate, to a rainbow of fruits and vegetables grown right here. And new this year, Made in Maui joins the market with agricultural offerings like plant-based skin care products by Alohi Maui, and purses and bags made from recycled burlap coffee sacks by Lokelani Burlap. It’s all part of Maui’s vibrant agricultural scene and buy local. Sponsored by Bayer, the Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

When the gang is ready to eat, come on back to the Food Zone. One thing’s for sure — nobody leaves AgFest hungry!

For a final schedule of events, and to purchase tickets for Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast and Grand Taste, visit www.MauiAgFest.org.