The 48th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival toasts the roast with 10 days of coffee events from Nov. 9-18. Big Isle residents and visitors are invited to participate in the festivities.
Lantern Parade
Community groups and individuals are invited to walk along Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona in the glowing procession of light, music and color at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9. Prizes awarded in Best Teen/Adult, Best Youth, Best Children and Best Overall categories. Deadline to enter is Nov. 2. Entry forms available at www.konacoffeefest.com/applications/.
KTA Super Stores Recipe Contest
Foodie alert! Have you got a favorite recipe using 100-percent Kona coffee? Brush off those recipes and enter in the professional, amateur, culinary student and keiki divisions. Receive a free 2018 festival button and a $25 KTA grocery certificate just for entering. There’s cash prizes and bragging rights, too. Deadline to enter is 5 p.m. Nov. 2. Entry forms available at www.konacoffeefest.com/applications/.
Art Exhibit
Artists of all mediums are invited to submit original works exploring Kona’s coffee culture. Art must be on the theme of coffee, either by subject matter or medium. Submit entries by 6 p.m. Oct. 20. Entry forms available at www.donkeymillartcenter.org.
Cupping Competition
Calling all Kona coffee farmers! Coffee entries must be 100-percent Kona coffee grown in Kona. Coffee entered will be scored on the globally accepted and recognized Specialty Coffee Association cupping format using a 100-point scale and evaluated in a double-blind format in the commercial and specialty divisions. Deadline to drop off is Nov. 2. For detailed entry information, wisit www.pacificcoffeeresearch.com/cuppingcompetition.
Lei Contest
This event is part of the festival’s Hoolaulea, happening Nov. 17 at the Makaeo County Pavilion at Old Kona Airport Park in Kailua-Kona. There are two categories: Wili and Kui. Entries must be submitted by 9 a.m. Nov. 17 at the pavilion.
All participants in the various events are required to wear a Kona Coffee Cultural Festival button.
For a complete listing of festival events or more information, visit www.konacoffeefest.com. Follow the festival on social media @konacoffeefest.