Royal Kona Resort Hosts 8th Annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival

KAILUA KONA, Hawaii - July 27, 2016 - PRLog -- For visitors to Hawaii August 13, they shouldn't miss the 8th Annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Fesitval at the 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 of "World's Best BBQ." Additionally, mouth-watering taster plates will be available for purchase and visitors can even vote for the People's Choice Award for their BBQ favorite.  The BBQ winner receives a 5-night stay for two in a deluxe ocean view room at the Royal Lahaina Resorton 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.  Delicious island produce and other food treats 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.  Guests can kick back with their own Mai Tais 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 2016, one lucky bartender contestant will receive a free, 7-night stay in a one-bedroom suite of their choice at any Diamond Resort in the United States valued at up to $6,300.

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, visitors can 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.

For more information, go to www.royalkona.com.   If anyone in the Islands needs air transportation to Kona, they should check out the Mai Tai Festival's official inter-island carrier Mokuele Airlines, Hawaii's #1 Island Hopper and receive a 10-percent discount for their airfare to the event.