Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium will be full of color and tantalizing scents at the 69th annual Hilo Orchid Society Show and Sale this month.
The largest orchid show in Hawaii is returning to the stadium from Friday, July 28, to Sunday, July 30. The theme this year is “Waves of Orchids” and will feature displays from 13 orchid vendors.
The annual Hilo Orchid Show Gala Preview Party hosted by Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center and ribbon-judging activities will begin on Thursday, July 27, before the show opens to the general public on Friday.
A team of volunteers from the Hilo Orchid Society will conduct the ribbon-judging and will award first-, second- and third-place prizes in dozens of categories.
For the first time, the Hilo Orchid Society has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to work with 11 youth to create miniature orchid displays.
The displays will be featured in the lobby of the Hilo Hawaiian from Monday, July 24, to Thursday, July 27. They will then move to the “Keiki Korner” next to the Boys and Girls Club table at the orchid show.
There will be demonstrations and a series of talks presented by Orchid Society members throughout the weekend. Topics will cover types of orchids and how to grow them.
Food vendors also will be available in the stadium, and the Orchid Society will be selling T-shirts and Orchid Isle 2024 calendars.
Those interested in joining the Orchid Society can visit the membership table, where Julie Goettsch will also have a stand where attendees can get orchid questions answered.
“After joining the Orchid Society, I have seen that there are so many opportunities to learn through orchid specialists that we’re lucky to have live here on the Big Island,” said member Lynn Romero. “The Orchid Society has led the charge in increasing the amount of orchids across the Orchid Isle, and it’s amazing how much beauty they add to our lives.”
The Hilo Orchid Show and Sale will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, and 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 30.
Tickets are available from any member of the Hilo Orchid Society for $3 before the show. The ticket price at the door will be $6.
The Hilo Orchid Show Gala Preview Party still has plenty of tickets for those interested in getting the first look at the orchids this year from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 27.
The evening fundraiser kicks of the annual show and benefits the nonprofit Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center.
The evening gala will features food from White Guava Café, drinks provided by Kona Brewing, Ola Brew and Hilo Coffee Mill, live music from local artists, and pre-sales of orchids.
“It is so nice having a great partnership with the Hilo Orchid Society and being able to benefit both nonprofits through complimentary events,” said Ku‘ikahi Executive Director Julie Mitchell. “I think it’s a great opportunity for people traveling to the Big Island for this show to have multiple events where they can truly be embedded in the beauty and delectable smells of the unique orchids.”
Orchid displays and vendors will be available to attendees as they talk, eat and drink through the evening.
Each partygoer will receive a souvenir wine or beer glass to enjoy the libations and take home after the event.
Reserved tables for four, six, eight or 10 people are available at bronze, silver, gold and platinum sponsorship levels.
Tickets are $85, of which $30 is tax deductible, and may be purchased in advance from The Most Irresistible Shop, Day-Lum Rentals and Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center.
To purchase tickets or table sponsorships, visit tinyurl.com/yhx9nnuv, call the mediation center at (808) 935-7844 ext. 1, or email kaitlyn@hawaiimediation.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
