Michael Soo receives the first prize of $10,000 from Gary Hogan (r), Hawaiian Hotels & Resorts president, in 2014 for his winning Mai Tai concoction with Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum.
Save the date—August 15, 2015—for the 7th Annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival at the fabulous Royal Kona Resort on the “Big Island” of Hawaii. It’s a fun-filled day of celebration of the iconic Mai Tai cocktail and a whole lot more. Admission is free and activity is non-stop from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The day begins with the Battle of the BBQ from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local restaurants and chefs compete for the title as “World’s Best BBQ.” Additionally, mouth-watering taster plates will be available for purchase and you can even vote for the People’s Choice Award for your BBQ favorite.
The BBQ winner receives a 5-night stay for two in a deluxe ocean view room at the beautiful Royal Lahaina Resort on Maui, luau, round of golf at one of the neighboring courses, and $500 food and beverage credit at the resort.
Also starting at 11 a.m., the Mai Tai Marketplace will be open for all to enjoy the arts, crafts and products of local vendors and artisans from throughout Hawaii. You’ll find delicious island produce and other food treats that will tantalize every palette. Food and drink are available for purchase everywhere in the Marketplace.
Grammy-nominated musician Henry Kapono and his band take center stage at the Royal Kona Resort’s main swimming pool at 2:30 p.m. for a free concert. You can kick back with your own Mai Tai and relax to the island rhythms of this world renowned, award winning performer.
The main event starts at 4:30 p.m. at the Royal Kona Resort’s Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Bar. The Mai Tai Mix-off attracts over 20 bartenders and Mai Tai aficionados from many parts of the globe, all vying for the prestigious title as the creator of the “World’s Best Mai Tai.”
The First Place winner receives $10,000, second gets $5,000, and third draws $2,500. And, new for 2015, one lucky bartender contestant will receive a free, 7-night stay in a one-bedroom suite at their choice of any Diamond Resort in the United States (up to $6,300 value).
The audience will be cheering on their favorite mixologists in a rousing tribute to the classic rum drink, as the bartender concoctions will be judged by a special panel based on taste, creativity, and name in a wild, 3-hour contest that’s lots of laughs.
And, after the Mix-off, stick around at Don’s Mai Tai Bar to reflect on a fabulous day and take in the sun setting over the blue Pacific. It’s a full day of merriment that shouldn’t be missed.
August 15, 2015 is the 7th Annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival, where mixologists from around the globe vie for $10,000 and title of “World’s Best Mai Tai.”
For more information, go to www.royalkona.com. If you happen to be in the Islands and need air transportation to Kona, check out the Mai Tai Festival’s official inter-island carrier Mokuele Airlines, Hawaii’s #1 Island Hopper, at www.mokueleairlines.com and receive a 10-percent discount for your airfare to the event.