On Halloween, keiki are invited to come in costume and parade down Front Street at 4:30 p.m. Now in its 38th year, the popular parade is being sponsored by the three Rotary Clubs of Lahaina, the County of Maui and LahainaTown Action Committee. PHOTO BY LAHAINATOWN ACTION COMMITTEE.

LAHAINA – The three Rotary Clubs of Lahaina are joining together to be the leading sponsors of the 38th annual Keiki Halloween Parade down Front Street on Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Also supported by the County of Maui and LahainaTown Action Committee, the parade will start at 4:30 p.m. from the corner of Papalaua and Front streets.

Front Street from Baker to Prison streets will be closed to motorists and parking from 3:30 p.m. to midnight on Halloween.

All keiki from preschool to teenagers are invited to march in the parade. Come in costume and assemble near the Outlets of Maui clock tower by 4:15 p.m.

Rotarian Joe Pluta, the parade’s master of ceremonies these past 38 years, expects this year’s event to be one of the very best.

Pluta said, “That’s due in part to the Lahainaluna High School Marching Band unit, who have grown to be the largest in school history. Approximately 120 students involved!”

This year’s parade grand marshal is Theo Morrison, executive director of Lahaina Restoration Foundation and a member of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise.

Morrison has said: “You have to reach out to people. People come to have fun, and then it raises the appreciation for where they live. Keeping that memory alive, honoring the history, just adds to the fabric of where you live.”

Maui Fire Department vehicles will lead the parade, followed by Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa and Grand Marshal Morrison.

West and South Maui Sen. Roz Baker (a member of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise) will be in the parade as will bagpiper Rev. Paul Tangonan, followed by other vehicles that will include Maui Shriners and a Rotary float with presidents from the three Lahaina clubs. Maui’s Elvis, Darren Lee from the “Burn’n Love” show, will also be featured.

After these vehicles, the Lahainaluna High School Marching Band will lead the hundreds of keiki in costume down Front Street to the stage area at Banyan Tree Park.

All keiki are invited to march across the stage, where they will receive a ribbon and a bag filled with candies and treats.

Don’t miss the fun! For more information, contact Pluta at 661-7990.

Parade organizers thank West Maui Soroptimists and Ruth McKay, who supported the parade in the past.

In Campbell Park next to the Baldwin Home Museum, sales of official Halloween in Lahaina T-shirts start at noon. Food booths, photo opportunities and face painting start at 4 p.m., along with music by Deejay Zinn from 4 to 5:45 p.m. and Luna Overdrive from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Registration for the Halloween Costume Contest will be held from 5 to 8:45 p.m. in a Pioneer Inn retail store on Hotel Street.

In Banyan Tree Park, Deejay Serna will play dance music from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sponsored by Honu Seafood and Pizza and Mala Ocean Tavern and emceed by Angel O’Brien, the costume contest will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on stage under the Banyan Tree. Winners will be announced at 9:30 p.m.

Catch a ride to Lahaina on the Halloween Express Bus. Details are posted on the LahainaTown Action Committee website at www.visitlahaina.com.

Another Fright Night tradition is The Wharf Cinema Center’s 34th annual Ghoulish Gala Karaoke Costume Contest.

Following the keiki parade down Front Street, The Wharf will once again host its “spooktacular” Halloween event.

The Ghoulish Gala begins at 5 p.m. with registration, and contestants can warm up their vocal cords with open singing from 6 to 7 p.m.

The main event starts at 7 p.m. Contestants must be in costume to qualify. Winners will be awarded prizes worth over $1,500. Lahaina’s own Toddy Lilikoi will emcee the contest. Admission and registration are free.

Following the Ghoulish Gala, the entertainment continues at The Wharf with “Night of the Living Dread” – Marty Dread will be rocking the night away at Cool Cat Cafe from 10 p.m. until closing.

Down the Hatch will hosting its own Halloween party with a costume contest and Deejay Love from 10 p.m. until closing.

There will be Halloween dining specials at all Wharf restaurants with late night Halloween hours.

The Wharf Shops & Restaurants are located at 658 Front St. across from the Banyan Tree. Call 661-8748 or e-mail marketing@thewharfshops.com for more information.