Merrie Monarch Festival: Is it worth going to see.

I am planning a trip to the Big Island for the week after Easter. This is my second trip to the Big Island. I did notice that I will be on the island at the time of the Merrie Monarch Festival. However, I am planning on staying on the Kona side in Keauhou. Would it be worth the time to travel over to the Hilo side to see some of the events of the Merrie Monarch Festival, like the parade or perhaps put in my bid for some of the tickets for the competitions on Thurs, Fri, or Sat night?

Merrie Monarch Festival: Is it worth going to see.

It is absolutely worth experiencing...the physical talents of the dancers coupled with the cultural focus and true ambience of Aloha, make it one of the premier annual events in the islands. And, the competitors and dance styles are more diverse than you would think.

However, unless you can find a room somehow very quickly, all Hilo area hotels will be fully packed-out and you will have to make the long drive back to Kona at night

Merrie Monarch Festival: Is it worth going to see.

You don%26#39;t have to drive back to Kona; stay up in Volcano.

You *might* be lucky enough to snag tickets for the dance competitions if you hang around at the venue an ask people. Good luck; you%26#39;re going to need it. When I went, I sent a prepared package out to a cousin in Honolulu to put in the mail first thing in the morning on the designated day in December. You may not have missed the deadline yet, but it%26#39;s really tough getting in on a first-come, first-served mailing from the mainland, and you can%26#39;t mail early.

I think Wednesday night is open admission.