Barrio Fiesta brings back live celebration of Filipino culture
The Binhi at Ani Filipino Community Center in Kahului will host the 53rd annual Barrio Fiesta from May 27-28, featuring food, cultural entertainment, pageantry and contests in person for the first time since the pandemic.
The event will be held live from 5 to 10 p.m. May 27 and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 28, with portions virtually rebroadcast at a later date.
It will be dedicated in memory of the late Agrifina “Aggie” Cabebe, the first chairperson of the Barrio Fiesta and the first president of Binhi at Ani in 1985. Known as the “mother of Filipino folk dance on Maui,” Cabebe died in December 2020, according to a news release from Binhi at Ani.
This year’s Barrio Fiesta will feature traditional Filipino food such as banana lumpia, cascaron, chicharron empanada, dinuguan, gulaman, ice candy and more, in addition to other popular local dishes like andagi, barbecue beef teriyaki and chow fun. A farmer’s market will also be offered. Festivities also include a lechon demonstration at 4:30 p.m. May 28.
Cultural entertainment will be provided by Dance International Production at 7:30 p.m. May 27, the Students of Aggie Cabebe at 6:30 p.m. May 28, Assumpta Choir at 7:30 p.m. May 28 and La Galería: Compañía Baile Filipino at 9 p.m. May 28.
Special events include The Santa Cruzan depicting the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena featuring the Miss Barrio Fiesta queens at 6:30 p.m. May 27, the Veterans Memorial Service at 12 p.m. May 28, the introduction of the Miss Maui Filipina contestants at 6 p.m. May 28 and the Outstanding Housekeepers Awards at 8 p.m. May 28.
The crowning of Miss Barrio Fiesta is scheduled for 7 p.m. on the opening night. Vying for the title are Angel Alba, Audryanah Latayada Starmer and Kyara Tumacder.
Contests are also scheduled throughout the weekend, including:
● Pabitin; 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. May 27, 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. May 28.
● The Barrio Fiesta Voice; 8:30 p.m. May 27; $500 for first place.
● Do the Sungka; 10:30 a.m. May 28; $500 for first place.
● Climb the Greased Pole Contest; 1 p.m. May 28; $500 for first place.
● Sabado Art Foundation Keiki Art Party; 2 p.m. May 28; $500 for first place.
● Da Pansit Eating Contest; 3 p.m. May 28; $500 for first place.
● Any Kine Sisig Challenge; 3:30 p.m. May 28; $500 for first place.
● Barrio Wear Contest; 7 p.m. May 28; $250 first-place prize for males, $250 first-place prize for females.
During the event, the center will also have a replica of a bahay kubo and cultural villages depicting several provinces or regions of the Philippines.
Free food boxes from the Maui Food Bank will also be offered to participants ages 65 and older beginning at 10 a.m. May 28 until supplies last.