The Experience Volcano Festival is set to return this weekend, providing an exciting two-day celebration in Volcano Village, the gateway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Scheduled for March 15-16, 2024, the festival is expected to attract between 4,000 and 5,000 visitors, according to Jesse Tunison, president of Experience Volcano Hawaii. The event will feature a five-mile tour through the charming town, showcasing local food, vendors, drinks, live music, and a variety of prizes.
Tunison emphasized the festival’s role in promoting local businesses, particularly after the 2018 Kilauea eruption, which fostered a stronger sense of community among residents. “All the businesses banded together to highlight the people and places, as we don’t have big corporate businesses up here,” he explained.
As part of the festival’s tradition, the annual Ohia Lehua Runs will take place on Saturday morning, with a half marathon starting at 7:00 a.m. followed by a 5K at 7:15 a.m. Participants can find registration and additional details at www.ohialehuahalf.com.
Early risers can also enjoy a farmer’s market from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Sunday at the Cooper Center, before the festival officially opens from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on both days. The packed itinerary includes over 65 opportunities for live music, Hawaiian cultural presentations, and various tours and events.
This year marks the grand opening of Lanikai Brewing’s new Volcano taproom, which is one of seven stops on the festival route. Founded by Steve Haumschild, the brewery emphasizes locally sourced food and beverages. Tunison noted Haumschild’s commitment to maintaining a low-key atmosphere, stating, “It’s still local, it’s locally run.”
A new addition to the festival this year is a free shuttle service provided by KapohoKine Adventures, aimed at easing traffic congestion and facilitating access to all festival points. The service will operate from the golf course, where the primary parking is located, and attendees are encouraged to utilize this option to enhance their experience. Tunison highlighted that shuttle drivers will serve as tour guides, providing interesting insights about the town during the rides.
Attendees who print the festival schedule and collect stamps from all seven featured points will be entered into a raffle for a grand prize of a five-night stay in Las Vegas. Additionally, over 40 other prizes will be available, including spa packages, free wine tastings, and local coffee bundles.
Hawaiian cultural events at the festival will include free make-and-take lei sessions, traditional Makahiki sports, hula performances, and crafts such as lauhala weaving and feather flower-making. Live music will fill the air throughout the weekend, featuring performances by local artists including Christy Leina‘ala Lassiter, who will perform at the golf course on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to noon and at the Volcano Winery on Sunday from noon to 1:00 p.m. Tunison praised Lassiter, noting her recent accolade as Best Female Vocalist of the Year at the Nahoku Awards.
While most festival activities are free, the wine tasting and a historic homes tour, presented by the Volcano Community Foundation, will require tickets. This year’s tour expands to include significant homes in Volcano Village and information about the Volcano Golf Course, with Boone Morrison featured as the architect. Interested individuals are encouraged to secure their spot through the Tours section of the festival website.
“We wanted to honestly highlight the different experiences and a kind of different lifestyle that’s up here. It’s not a beach culture. It’s up at 4,000 feet, in the mist,” Tunison remarked.
For more information about the festival, visit www.experiencevolcano.com/experiencevolcanofestival.