MEDIA RELEASE

The upcountry coffee and art town of Holualoa kicks off the holiday season with their 13th annual Music & Light Festival on Saturday evening, December 5th, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at all of their village shops and art galleries along Mamalahoa Highway.

The celebration begins with the lighting of the town Christmas tree at the Holualoa library at 6 p.m., followed by the appearance of Santa and his elf who will parade up the highway to the Holualoa Gallery where he will meet with keiki during the evening. Candy canes and small gifts will be provided for the youngsters by the Holualoa Village Association. Parents and ohana are encouraged to bring their cameras.

Holiday music will fill the air as performers like Bernice and Manuel Roberto with their Kona Harp Ensemble, Mele ‘Ohana, BoloMusic and Gregg Shirley & Olga play at the Kona Hotel and Holualoa Library. The wandering a capella vocals of Hibiscus Jam will be heard at many galleries and shops and the Living Hope Church will also feature live Christmas carols for Music & Light Festival visitors.

All the village businesses will be lit up and welcoming visitors with special holiday sales and ono treats. The hungry will also find great food from the French Crepe Lady, the Lilikoi Inn, the new Mi Casita Potosina Mexican take-out and, of course, full meals of all-local produce, fish and beef at the Holuakoa Gardens & Cafe restaurant. (Reservations recommended: 322-2233). The Living Hope Church will also be offering free hot dogs, cotton candy, and popcorn, along with face painting, games and a bounce house for the keiki.

There will be early-bird parking at the Holualoa School and lot next to the Library. No parking will be allowed in town during the event, which is produced by the Holualoa Village Association and sponsored by The Holualoa Inn and Kona Blue Sky Coffee.

More information, a map to the village and photos of past events are available on the HVA web site: www.holualoahawaii.com