Mayor Richard Bissen has confirmed that the 99th Maui County Fair is booked for a four-day run at the War Memorial Special Events Complex in Wailuku, from October 1 to 4, 2026. Fresh off last year's revival, the fair is being billed as a big-tent reunion for families, nonprofit groups, and small businesses, built around food booths, contests, and rides. Organizers say applications are already open, with key vendor deadlines landing in mid-May.
“The return of the Maui County Fair brings back a tradition our community really values,” Bissen said, according to Maui Now. The county is again teaming up with contractor Daryl Fujiwara of Festivals of Aloha, who steered last year's comeback and will direct the 2026 edition. Officials say the announcement is part of a broader push to restore cultural programming while jump-starting local economic activity.
Vendor deadlines and selection
Applications for all vendors and exhibitors are due May 15, 2026. Food vendors are scheduled to be notified by May 30, and product-and-services exhibitors by June 1, with payments due June 15. Organizer materials say vendors will be chosen based on menu quality, pricing, operational readiness, and commitment to community service. Nonprofit food applicants must include a valid GET license and an IRS determination letter with their paperwork, according to the Maui County Fair.
How the fair came back and why it matters
The fair did not continue after 2019 because of the pandemic and related financial and logistical challenges. County leaders say last year's county supported revival showed the concept could still work. Mayor Bissen proposed appropriating $1.5 million from the General Fund to support the event, and organizers report that the 98th fair drew more than 115,000 attendees in 2025, according to a County of Maui press release. Officials say the revenue and volunteer energy generated by that run helped make a 2026 fair financially realistic for local nonprofits.
What visitors and vendors should expect
Organizers say the 2026 fair will again feature E.K. Fernandez rides, live music, contests, and dozens of nonprofit food booths, many highlighting Maui-made products and local small businesses. Last year's program ranged from Baby of the Year to student horticulture competitions and drew heavy crowds, and county officials say this year's event will stick with a strong community-participation focus. For vendors, that translates to a blend of high-volume food operations alongside curated product and services exhibits intended to put local makers in the spotlight, as reported by Maui Now.
How to apply and sponsorships
Prospective vendors and sponsors can find applications, fee schedules, and sponsorship packages on the fair's website. For sponsorship information, visit the Maui County Fair. Organizers strongly urge early submissions, noting that space is limited and that all required tax and licensing documents must be included.
County officials and fair organizers say the comeback is about more than the midway. They frame the event as a crucial fundraiser for community groups and a rare, high-visibility showcase for local makers in front of both residents and visitors. For full details on how to apply and what is required, they direct interested groups to the fair website or the county press release.
