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E.K. Fernandez started entertaining audiences in the early 1900s with simple carnival rides and games. Now run by a third generation of the Fernandez family, E.K.'s fairs are still a thriving source of entertainment, having evolved to bring in an array of performers and stage acts. Thrills and spills
Dirt bike jumping comes to the State Fair
By Nancy Arcayna
narcayna@starbulletin.com"People have become sophisticated. They generally expect more," said E.K. Fernandez promoter Donna Smith, who says a goal -- as the company returns for the 50th State Fair -- is to emulate mainland fairs that host many entertainers and attractions. "We're trying to make sure our state fair is as good as any of them. We want to charge a small admission and in return provide a variety of free entertainment."
The fair expects to bring in around 150,000 people during the four weekend stint.
A "Moto-X Spectacular" is among the highlights this year. X Games gold medalist Brian Deegan and other superstars including Nate Adams, Drake McElroy and Jeff Kargola will perform gravity-defying stunts during a 20-minute demonstration of freestyle motorcycle dirt jumping.
Show times for the dirt jumping performances are 1, 4, 7 and 11 p.m. daily.
Those who are not interested in this sort of "edge of your seat" excitement may opt to take in the fluid movements of the Mapapa Acrobats as they contort themselves into pretzel-like positions during their "rhythm circus" show.
The group originated in Mombassa, Kenya, and has performed in more than 25 countries over the past 10 years, including Australia, China, Korea, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. A blend of Chinese acrobatic feats and popular dance moves are set to the festive music of East Africa. The act combines limbo, tumbling, jumping, dancing and intricate balances that include precarious human towers, explained Smith. Performance times are 2, 5, 8 and 10 p.m. daily.
Where: Aloha Stadium 50th State Fair
When: 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays; noon to midnight Saturdays and Sundays, through June 16. Fair grounds open today. Also, noon to midnight Monday and June 13.
Admission: $3 adults; $2 children ages 4 to 11; children under 3 are free. Pepsi days are on June 2, 9 and 16. Bring an empty Pepsi can and admission is 50 cents. Ride prices are also reduced on these days. Admission is $8 on June 13 for "High Octane Night," which includes an auto show. Military personnel receive free admission on Monday with a valid ID.Smith said she discovered the Mapapa Acrobats when visiting a state fair in Miami. "They were so entertaining, I knew we had to bring them to Hawaii. You have to wonder how they got all that energy. And, they are so flexible. The crowd just loved them."
If your tastes run to cars, the auto show on "High Octane Night" is worth a look. A variety of imports, domestics, Euros, sport bikes, Harleys and hot rods will be on display. DJs will also be spinning on two separate stages.
PAID CONCERTS will also be a first for the state fair. A "Summer Jam" concert featuring Ashanti, Amanda Perez, JaRule and other national entertainers will be held at the Stadium from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 2. Tickets are available at all Ticket Plus outlets for $26, plus a $3.25 service charge.
On June 8, a Hawaiian jam features Keahiwai, Opihi Pickers, Norm and more. Cost of the concert is $5, with two show times, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and 9:30 to 11 p.m.
And that is not all. The web-slinging superhero Spider-Man makes his way to the fair grounds on June 8 and 9. He'll meet his fans from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m.
All the entertainment doesn't keep people off the rides. "They actually use them more because they stay at the fair for longer periods of time," said Smith.
Since Hawaii is isolated from the rest of the United States, Smith travels abroad to state fairs across the nation seeking acts to bring home. Smith said, "It's not like you can hop in your car and drive to a fair in a different state. So, we're just trying to make it as interesting as we can."
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