KAILUA-KONA —The Big Island Fair is returning to Kailua-Kona after the threat of storm last year forced the carnival to cancel, interrupting 30 years of consecutive entertainment to the Big Island each September.
The E.K. Fernandez Shows starts Thursday and ends Sunday at Old Kona Airport Park. This year’s event brings new acts to the Anastasini Circus, a new ride debuted at the 50th State Fair and the Fun Pass card system, already started at fairs in other counties in the state.
Donna Smith, vice president of E.K. Fernandez Shows, said the pass card is similar to a Starbucks card. A carnival patron is able to purchase a card before coming into the fairgrounds. It’s preloaded with credits, which gives access to rides, games and food.
“It’s a more automated-type system,” Smith said. “It’s a universal card.”
The minimum amount that can be loaded on a fun pass is $20. Once a card is purchased, it is used to enter the carnival. Smith said there are stations where the cards can be reloaded with credits.
Smith said the Fun Pass Card has made it easier for employees and the public.
“You eliminate all those tickets, all those scrips,” Smith said. “We don’t have to have people (employees) counting those tickets or dollar bills. And the public loves it.”
Also new to the Big Island Fair is the ride Seven Seas, which debuted at the 50th State Fair. According to the E.K. Fernandez Show website, the platform ride “whisks riders left to right and over the top in a fast pact motion. As riders crest the top, they experience a free fall sensation.”
The fair will be open Thursday and run 6 p.m. to midnight. On Friday, it will also operate under the same hours. On Saturday, it will open at noon and close at midnight. It will open at the same time on Sunday, but close at 10 p.m.
Admission hasn’t changed since the last time the carnival was in town in 2015. However, with the new pass card system the cost to enter the carnival is listed in credits. Ten credits are equivalent to $1.
Admission on Thursday is 10 credits, increasing to 50 credits on Friday. Those who enter the fair between noon-6 p.m. on Saturday will pay 30 credits while those arriving after 6 p.m. will dole out 50 credits. On Sunday, admission is 30 credits.
Rides range in price from 35 credits, for such amusements as the Magic Maze and Dizzy Dragons, to 75 credits to ride the Zipper and Wave Swinger.
Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation Director Charmaine Kamaka was not available Tuesday to answer questions regarding closures at Old Kona Airport Park, as well as what the county is paid for the usage of the facility. In the past, the county has rerouted vehicular traffic to the beach access road located at the north end of Kuakini Highway to ensure access for park users and fair attendees and operators.
Info: www.ekfernandezshows.com.