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MERRIE MONARCH ROYAL PARADE downtown Hilo, Hawaii on April 18,2009 The parade through downtown Hilo was held on the last day of the Merrie Monarch competition. Hilo town was packed for the parade and the other events in the town, Farmer's Saturday Market and the He Launa Aloha No Ka Mo‘i Kalakaua festival in Kalakaua Park. The parade assembled in Wailoa River State park to start on Pauahi street. The float below was ready to go.
Groups assembled ready to march in the parade.
The JROTC lined up.
The Hawaiian Royal guard was assembled below the statue of King Kamehameha in the park.
The floats started off on Pauahi street.
The Hawaii County band prepared to march.
The Hawaii Horse owners joined in.
The floats assembled and readied to join the parade.
Huge crowds lined Pauahi street to greet the parade.
Wandering down Kamehameha Avenue, the begriming of the parade, which had marched all the way through the town, was visible.
The Mayor of Hawaii County, Billy Kenoi, and his wife walked the entire route.
Further down Kamehameha, the Farmer's market on Mamo street was in full swing.
During the parade, shoppers were busy buying produce and flowers.
All along Kamehameha Avenue, crowds waited for the parade. There were large delays between the floats and bands, so there was plenty of time to stroll along the street and enjoy the day.
This is looking across Kamehameha Avenue at the Mo'oheau Park's bus station.
The parade marched down Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo.
Hilo High School band in downtown Hilo.
Miss Aloha Hawaii 2009 waved at the crowd.
She was followed by her Kumu.
The National Guard marched by; the view is up Haili street.
Hilo has a growing gymnastics club.
Hilo Intermediate school
Keaukaha Canoe Club chanted enthusiastically.
This view of the parade was from Kalakaua and Keawe street.
As the parade continued, the He Launa Aloha No Ka Mo‘i Kalakaua festival in Kalakaua Park was in full force.
The festival honors the Merrie Monarch, King David Kalakaua. His statue sits in the Kalakaua park and was covered with leis for the occasion.
The festival had displays of block printing, weaving and lei making.
The festival was lightly attended initially.
But the crowds arrived when the parade was over.
Ben Kalili and band entertained the crowd.
The food, the music, and the day was fun.
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