34th annual world whale day—rock icon mick fleetwood is guest star on saturday, february 15

Rock icon Mick Fleetwood will be the special guest star on Saturday, February 15 at the 34th Annual World Whale Day Celebration at Kalama Park in Kihei. A community event attended by more than 25,000 Maui residents and visitors last year, World Whale Day starts at 9am and continues until 7pm. Admission is free.

Fleetwood is the co-founder and drummer of the legendary band Fleetwood Mac. The band is best known for its 1977 megahits “Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way” and “Dreams.”

Mick Fleetwood will be taking the stage at World Whale Day as a guest performer with the R.E. Metoyer Blues, Rock and Soul Revue. He will also serve as the Grand Marshall in the Parade of Whales, which kicks off the festivities at 9am along South Kihei Road. This colorful parade begins at Alanui Keali‘i Drive, proceeds north along South Kihei Road and ends at Kihei Library on Waimahaihai St.

Immediately after the Parade of Whales, World Whale Day offers a full day of free live entertainment by some of Hawai‘i’s top recording stars, plus hula, great food by local restaurants, a carnival for children, displays about whales and Maui’s environment and a huge “Made on Maui” artisans’ fair.

“Mick Fleetwood is a Maui resident and an advocate of the humpback whales that come to Maui each winter,” says Greg Kaufman, Founder and Executive Director of Pacific Whale Foundation. “It is an honor to have Mick express his love of the whales and our ocean environment by taking part in the Parade of Whales and World Whale Day.”

In addition to Fleetwood and the R.E Metoyer Blues, Rock and Soul Revue, performers at World Whale Day will include Hoku award-winner John Cruz, four time Grammy award winner George Kahumoku Jr., Anuhea, Ekolu, Marty Dread, Na Hoa and the Tahitian hula group Manute‘a Nui E.

Mick Fleetwood will be available to sign autographs at the Fleetwood’s on Front St. booth. Restaurants hosting food booths will include Fleetwood’s, Three’s Bar and Grill, Monsoon India, Beach Bum’s, Stella Blues Cafe, Porto Mediterranean Grill and Pizzeria, Leoda’s Pie Shop, Fat Daddy’s BBQ, Cold Stone Creamery, Hula Dogs, Java Café and LifeForce Foods.

The children’s carnival will include games and activities created by Pacific Whale Foundations’ marine education team plus bouncy castles, shave ice and cotton candy.

The Made on Maui Artisans’ Fair will feature the work of more than 80 local craftspeople including jewelers, basket makers, potters and more. Shoppers will also find great buys on artwork, activities, restaurants, shows, golf and more at the silent auction. The bidding begins at 9am and ends at 3:30pm.

Environmental displays will be hosted by West Maui Mountains Watershed Project, Monk Seal Foundation, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Coalition for a Tobacco-free Hawai‘i, Malama Maui Nui, Surfrider Foundation, Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, NOAA Fisheries Maui Marine Mammal Response Program and Sustainable Living Institute Maui Community Garden at UHMC.

The Wild & Wonderful Whale Regatta offers attendees an opportunity to win FREE roundtrip airfare for two between the U.S. Mainland and Maui. This “regatta” features little rubber whales on a twisting, turning water course.

All food products at World Whale Day will be served on biodegradable/compostable products. In addition, water will be sold in reusable, commemorative “Save the Whales” water bottles.

There are free event parking lots and free shuttle service from two Kihei locations: Hope Chapel at 300 East Welakahao Rd and at Azeka Place Mauka by Bank of Hawai‘i. The free shuttles will run from 7am to 7:30pm.

World Whale Day is hosted by Pacific Whale Foundation. Other sponsors of World Whale Day include Hawaii Tourism Authority, County of Maui Office of Economic Development and the Dept of Parks and Recreation.

To learn more about World Whale Day please visit http://www.mauiwhalefestival.org or call (808) 249-8811 x1. Volunteers are needed to help at Whale Day. Please visit http://www.mauiwhalefestival.org.