Contact: Jeannette Vidgen
Current Events
Phone (808)-326-7820 Fax (808)326-5634
jvidgen@current-events.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE KONA COFFEE GRAND PARADE NAMES WINNERS

KONA, HAWAII’S BIG ISLAND(November 2007)-This year's theme 'Kona Coffee A Tradition of Excellence' inspired 24 entries to compete in several categories including marching bands and decorated vehicles. The grand prize float winner, the Kona Coffee Farmers Association featured a coffee-land jeep and coffee shack as a tribute to Kona coffee pioneers tradition that paved the way for today’s Kona coffee legacy. The Kona Coffee Grand Parade is proudly sponsored by Kamehameha Schools.

Patty Okahara, Co-chair Kona Coffee Grand Parade shared, "On behalf of the Grand Parade committee we extend our sincerest thanks to the following participating hotels and restaurants that provided us with our narrating sites and frontage: King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, Tante’s Restaurant, Pancho's & Lefty's Cantina & Restaurant, Kona Bay Hotel Uncle Billy's, Waterfront Row, Island Lava Java. They make it possible for our local community to enjoy the parade year after year."

This year the Grand Parade saw 48 outstanding entrants with 24 entries entered as competitive units in 5 different categories: Decorated Vehicle, Float, Sr. Marching Unit, Jr. Marching Unit, and Jr. Marching Band. Judging was done by the following criteria: representing the theme, originality, appearance, workmanship and spectator appeal

FLOAT – Theme, originality, creativity, appearance, workmanship and spectator appeal
1st Place Kona Coffee Farmers Association - $500.00
2nd Place Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative - $300.00
3rd Place Kona Coffee Council - $200.00

SR. MARCHING UNIT – Appearance (uniformity/neatness), performance, originality and spectator appeal.
1st Place Kona Coast Kennel Club - $175.00
2nd Place Kung Fu Hawaii – $125.00
3rd Place Kailua-Kona Lions Club - $75.00

JR. MARCHING UNIT - Appearance (uniformity/neatness), performance, originality and spectator appeal.
1st Place Konawaena High School Jr. ROTC - $175.00
2nd Place West Side Eagles - $125.00
3rd Place Kona Church of Christ Troop #84 - $75.00

DECORATED VEHICLE – Theme, originality, appearance, workmanship and spectator appeal.
1st Place Wenatchee Applarians - $175.00
2nd Place Hibiscus Jam - $125.00
3rd Place Ferrari Coffee-Hawaiian Mountain Gold - $75.00

JR. MARCHING BAND – Appearance (uniformity/neatness), performance (as a disciplined unit, sound quality) originality and spectator appeal.
1st Place Kamehemeha Schools - Hawaii - $200.00
2nd Place Waiakea High School - $175.00

For additional Kona Coffee Grand Parade information contact Patty Okahara, Chairperson at 930-7651.