Family fun awaits at fair
The 50th State Fair is back with three new rides on the E.K. Fernandez midway of rides, racing pigs and performing puppies.
The "5D Dark Walkthrough Adventure" is among the fair’s new activities. Visitors walk through an attraction with 3-D effects enhanced by bubbles, fog, colorful lighting and lasers. Five different themes will be offered.
This year’s entertainment includes a circus show with Luciano’s Pound Puppies, an act presented by an old-fashioned ringmaster that features the antics of dogs rescued from animal control services. Racing Pigs make their way around the track to gain their prize of an Oreo cookie. And the Backyard Circus and Family Puppet Parade returns to encourage audience members once again to join the act by dressing up as lions, tigers, tightrope walkers and more.
The fair is open Fridays at 6 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at noon, from Friday through June 30 at Aloha Stadium. It is also open May 27 at noon and June 6 at 6 p.m. Closing time is typically between 11 p.m. and midnight. Admission ranges from $1 to $5. Ride prices vary with discount 10-ride wristbands for sale at ticketmaster.com until 8 p.m. Thursday.
Visit www.ekfernandez.com/events/50th.asp for more information.
Playground builders wanted
The YMCA of Honolulu is looking for volunteers to help build a new playground for keiki at its Windward location this month.
YMCA of Honolulu joined forces with national nonprofit group KaBOOM! and Disney Aulani to pay for the new playground.
The playground, based on designs provided by YMCA members, will offer several slides, a miniature climbing wall and triangle bars.
Volunteers are sought for a Prep Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, as well as Build Day" from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 25.
The group is also seeking the use of various tools (to be returned) including spades or shovels, rakes, 6- and 8-foot stepladders, wheelbarrows, post-hole diggers, drills, sledgehammers, extension cords, saws and more.
The YMCA of Honolulu partnered with KaBOOM! to build a playground at Camp Erdman in 2009 and at the Leeward YMCA in 2011.
Windward YMCA is at 1200 Kailua Road. Volunteers must register in advance by calling Ranell Savelio, 383-7990 or Bill Stone, 261-0808, or go to www.ymcahonolulu.org/about/news/ kaboom_playground.