I have attended Makawao Town’s Fourth of July Parade 13 times. (I’m 18 years old, so we’ll have to subtract 2 years of “Don’t take the baby by all those big animals,” 2 years of “I just became a teenager and only talk to other teenagers,” and 1 year of summer vacation in Washington.) It seems like I would get bored of the same thing over and over, especially because I’m not a part of the rodeo community and am actually terrified of horses. But really, Makawao has its fair share of ‘crazies’ who liven up the parade ever year. Last year, a lanky man rollerbladed up and down the street while spinning colorful scarves, you could get your portrait done for $5, and MISC built a float with a giant yellow bird on the back which an person operated from inside, snapping the beak open and closed. While those might have been the highlights for me, normal people will appreciate the pretty horses, cute kids, floats, and activists and politicians of every sort… Check out these photos taken by a Spanish friend visiting for the summer who was thoroughly horrified by our blatant show of patriotism…

If you are planning on camping out for a while with the kids, make sure to nab a good spot early, because the sidewalks are always packed. The parade starts at the 4-way stop by Casanova’s and Polli’s and stretches through to Eddie Tam. The noise level will be high, the heat intense, and the atmosphere enjoyable.

Before, during, and after the parade, the Rodeo will be in full swing at Oskie Rice Arena, up Olinda Road. The events range from the simple (young kids who trot the horses around a course) to dangerous (burly men being thrown off bulls and  roping frazzled calves). Come visit little Makawao Town this weekend for a lot of fun.

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