Deadlines for exhibitions, contests announced for 99th Maui County Fair Oct. 1-4

Applications open for Healthy Baby contest, Small Animal & Poultry, Fiber Arts, Esports tourney and more

The 2026 Maui County Fair will offer opportunities for community members of all ages to participate in contests, competitions and exhibitions when the 99^th fair returns Oct. 1-4, 2026. Opportunities range from the Healthy Baby Contest for Maui’s youngest keiki to student competitions featuring agriculture, filmmaking and Esports, as well as fiber arts and animal exhibitions.

Information and forms for all contests and exhibitions are available at https://www.themauifair.com/; click on “Parade & Contests” on the top navigation menu.

Important deadlines to note:

• Student Art Contest – submission deadline 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at fair trailer
• Fiber Arts Show – submission deadline Sunday, Sept. 20
• Small Animal & Poultry Exhibitors – registration deadline Monday, Sept. 21
• Student Media Contest – registration deadline 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23
• Student Horticulture Contest – entry drop-off 2:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30
• Healthy Baby Contest – advance registration or at-fair registration, space permitting
• E-sports Competition – registration deadline Thursday, Oct. 1

Small animal and poultry exhibitors wanted

Maui County residents are invited to showcase their animals in the Small Animal & Poultry Exhibition. Each exhibitor may enter one animal per category in up to three categories, for a maximum of three animals total.

Entries are currently being accepted for small animals and poultry only. Livestock exhibitors will be contacted directly by the exhibit committee, with preference given to returning livestock exhibitors. Participation is limited to Maui County residents, and entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until each category reaches capacity. No post-entries will be accepted.

Applications must be completed and submitted by Monday, Sept. 21, with final changes accepted through Friday, Sept. 25. Animals will be received on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. All animals must be healthy and will be inspected for injury or disease before being accepted into the exhibition.

Judging will take place by category, class and division, with Youth and Open divisions. Ribbons will be presented to the top three exhibitors per category in each division, along with Best in Show and People’s Choice honors. Awards will be presented Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. at the exhibit’s main stage. Animals must be picked up from 5–6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4.

For questions, call (808) 268-1404, email [email protected], or visit @HuiLivestockPoultryMaui on Instagram.

Maui County Fair Fiber Arts Show celebrates creativity, culture and craftsmanship

The Sewing Hui hosts the Maui County Fair Fiber Arts Show, which celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship and cultural traditions of Maui County’s fiber artists while providing an opportunity for makers of all ages and skill levels to share their work with the community. The show supports the preservation of traditional Hawaiian fiber arts, encourages innovation through contemporary and upcycled fiber arts, and provides an inspiring community exhibition during the fair.

The Fiber Arts Show will be held at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, Oct. 1–4, 2026.

Important Fiber Arts Show dates:

• Submission Deadline: Sept. 20, 2026
• Entry Drop-off: Sept. 12–20, 2026
• Drop-off Location: Sew Special at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, next to the women’s Macy’s
• Exhibition: Oct. 1–4, 2026

Artists are encouraged to submit early, as exhibition space is limited. Entries received after capacity has been reached may not be exhibited. Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi participants who need to mail their entries should contact [email protected] for arrangements. Participants should review the complete rules, regulations and guidelines before submitting an application.

Student Horticulture Contest highlights keiki growing their own food

The 2026 Maui County Fair Student Horticulture Contest puts Maui County’s young growers in the spotlight, celebrating the hard work, pride and aloha ʻāina that come from caring for the land and growing food.

Open to students in grades K–12, the contest invites keiki to enter something they have personally grown at home, at school or in a community garden.

Categories include:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Roots & Tubers
• Herbs & Spices
• Flowers & Edible Blooms

Special awards include Biggest & Heaviest, Most Unusual or Unique, and Best Sustainable Garden Story.

Judges will consider each entry’s health and quality, student effort, presentation and demonstration of aloha ʻāina. Awards include Best in Show for Elementary, Middle and High School divisions, 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Place ribbons in each category, and Honorable Mentions at the judges’ discretion.

For 2026, the fair is focusing the Horticulture Contest exclusively on student entries. Because War Memorial Gym — the traditional home of the Horticulture Exhibit — is under construction and exhibit space at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center is limited, adult horticulture divisions will not be held this year. Adult divisions are expected to return when space allows in future years.

Entry drop-off will be Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 2:30–6:30 p.m. at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. The exact exhibit location will be announced on the fair website, www.themauifair.com.

Students should bring their entries in a small box, basket or bag, along with a completed Student Entry Form. Teachers bringing multiple entries should also provide a School Submission Inventory Sheet. Entries must be picked up Sunday, Oct. 4, from 2–5 p.m.

Student Media Contest challenges Maui’s next generation of creators

Elementary, middle and high school students are invited to put their creativity, storytelling and technical skills to the test during the 2026 Maui County Fair Student Media Contest, taking place Saturday, Oct. 3, at War Memorial Complex.

Designed to give young creators a taste of a real-world media production deadline, the competition challenges students to create original projects during the fair. Prompts and required materials will be released the morning of the contest, and students will produce and edit their entries on-site.

Competition categories include:

• Feature Story
• Commercial – Live Action
• PSA – Live Action
• Photo Essay
• Short Film
• Social Media Master
• Fair Promo Video
• Vertical Tutorial

Depending on the category, students may compete individually or in teams of up to six participants. Students may enter as many categories as they would like, including multiple entries in the same category.

All footage, photographs, graphics and recordings must be created during the contest period. Stock content, AI-generated creative elements and pre-existing media are not permitted. Entries will be evaluated by experienced media professionals based on concept and creativity, storytelling and clarity, technical execution, closeness to the assigned topic, and compliance with contest rules.

Schools and students must register by 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.

Every submitted entry will receive feedback from an industry professional. Prizes will be awarded in each category for each school division.

Longtime “Baby of the Year” Healthy Baby Contest returns to the Maui County Fair

 

One of the Maui County Fair’s longtime traditions returns in 2026 when the popular “Baby of the Year,” formerly known as the Healthy Baby Contest, takes the stage at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the War Memorial Special Events Complex entertainment stage. Families interested in participating may sign up in advance or register at the fair, space permitting.

Dating back to the 1950s, the Maui tradition celebrates the health and well-being of the island’s youngest community members while connecting families with information and resources that support healthy living.

The contest is open to infants and toddlers up to age 36 months accompanied by a parent or guardian. Proof of age, such as a copy of a birth certificate, may be required. Families are encouraged to visit health and wellness booths at the fair to learn more about safe sleep, nutrition, car seat safety, breastfeeding and other resources for healthy families.

Judging will celebrate healthy, happy keiki in several areas:

• Health and development — Healthy, well-nourished children demonstrating age-appropriate milestones
• Personality and interaction — Smiles, eye contact and engagement with parents and judges
• Appearance and presentation — Cleanliness, grooming and neat clothing; themed outfits are welcome but not required
• Family involvement — Recognition of parents and guardians who demonstrate a commitment to healthy practices, including immunizations, nutrition and safety

Optional special recognitions may also be awarded, including:

• Best Smile
• Chubbiest Cheeks
• Most Active
• Best Traditional Outfit

The Maui County Fair, funded by the County of Maui, thanks the organizations supporting the Healthy Baby Contest, including the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawai‘i and Aloha Diaper Bank.

Student Art Contest showcases young artists

 

Maui County students in grades K-12 are invited to share their artistic talent and imagination in the 2026 Maui County Fair Student Art Contest. The competition is open to students across five grade-level divisions: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-10 and 11-12. Selected artwork will be displayed at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center during the Maui County Fair, Oct. 1-4.

Students may submit one original 2-D artwork, (e.g. drawing, painting, printmaking and mixed media). Digital artwork is also permitted when printed and prepared according to contest requirements. No edible art entries. Artwork must be matted with firm backing, such as mat board or oaktag.

Entries will be judged on creativity and originality, use of materials and technique, visual impact, and artistic expression and interpretation of the subject.

Ribbons will be awarded for Best in Category and first, second and third place in each grade-level division. Honorable mentions may also be awarded at the judges’ discretion.

For more details on the Student Art Contest, refer to the “Parade & Contests” tab on the fair website.

 

Esports Competition returns with Smash and Mario Kart

Gamers will also have their chance to compete at the Maui County Fair with two days of Esports tournaments.

The Smash Tournament will take place Saturday, Oct. 3, followed by the Mario Kart Tournament on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. Both tournament days feature two age divisions: 13 and under and 14 and older.

Competition is limited to the first 64 registered participants in each division. Players must register online by Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, and bring a completed waiver to check-in on the day of competition.

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The Maui County Fair brings residents and visitors together for four days of food, entertainment, culture and family fun. Mayor Richard Bissen spearheaded the fair’s return after a six-year hiatus, and earlier this year proposed—and the Maui County Council approved—a $1.5 million General Fund appropriation to support this year’s fair through nonprofit Festivals of Aloha.

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