28th annual event moves to Oskie Rice Field.

The 28th Annual Upcountry Ag & Farm Fair will be held Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and Sunday (Father’s Day), June 1, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s expanding and moving to a new home in Makawao at the Oskie Rice Field & Arena. Located on Olinda Road, Oskie Rice Field offers accessible, convenient parking. Parking is only $5, and will benefit the fair’s Youth Development Scholarship Fund.

There is no charge for fair admission.

The fair will continue its tradition of live cultural entertainment and Made in Maui and Hawai‘i vendors. With a continued focus on agriculture and ranching, the fair will host the Maui 4-H Livestock Association Show and Auction. Celebrating the theme “Back to our Roots,” this year’s Upcountry Ag & Farm Fair will feature Maui’s unique Upcountry lifestyle and explore the significance of its preservation.

Last year, the Paniolo Heritage Tent was added to the fair’s exhibits, along with the Agricultural Tent and the Made in Hawai‘i Tent. In keeping with the lifestyle, history and culture of Hawai‘i’s ranches, these exhibits will showcase the cowboys, ranchers, farmers and youth that make it all happen.

In the Paniolo Heritage exhibit, fair-goers can experience the island’s paniolo (Hawai‘i’s cowboys) heritage and learn about its lifestyle and about generations of family traditions. Visitors and residents alike will be able to experience many ranches, all integrating and networking as one to perpetuate ranching and farming in Hawai‘i.

Other highlights of the event include Will Rogers’ Wild West Show, Bad Dog’s & Will’s Horse Training Class and “How to Train a Horse to do Tricks In An Hour.” Stand up comedian Augie T, Hawai‘i’s favorite entertainer, is returning along with a multitude of local talent and cultural performers. The Aloha Cowboy Keiki Cowboy and Cowgirl Duds Dress Up Contest, Pi‘iholo Ranch horse rides, paniolo games and a variety of games for all ages, local foods, ice cream floats, farmers’ market fresh Maui produce and grain-fed beef, pork, lamb and goat will also be featured.

The fair is co-sponsored by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development and Upcountry Highways Division; Maui Agricultural Foundation, Maui County Farm Bureau,  Maui Soda and Ice Works; Tri-Isle Resource, Conservation, and Development Council Inc.; Maui Cattle Company; KAOI Radio Group, including KDLX and KMKK stations; Maui Land & Pineapple Inc.; Maui 4-H Livestock Association; Maui Roping Club;  Haleakala Ranch; Pi‘iholo Ranch; Ka‘ono‘ulu Ranch; Kahuku Ranch, Pukalani Superette; Whole Foods, Oceanic Time Warner Cable; Kula Hardware & Nursery; Aloha Cowboy; Maui County Correctional Center and Maui Fire Control.

For more information or to find out more about sponsorships, to make a donation or volunteer, contact contact Toni Everett at 250-5185 or Upcountry Fair Co-Chair Brenda Kuala‘au at 870-9031.