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Is your family ready to climb, bounce, throw and hang out with local celebrity athletes? Then mark you calendar for the 9th Annual ESPN Honolulu Sports Festival on Saturday, June 15, at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. This free, kid-friendly event will feature a VEX Robotics Challenge called the "Tower Takeover," plus two sports championship competitions: The Tommy Kono Open (weightlifting) and Pacific Masters of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Martial Arts).

ESPN Honolulu Sports Festival organizers gave us the scoop on how to win prizes, when to avoid crowds and what to expect at this year's event.

Our 5 Tips

1. Know where the action is. The stars of Unify Championship Entertainment (UCE) Wrestling will be in The Ring area at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Festival will also include the First Insurance Shootout, a hotshot-style basketball competition. The shoot-out will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, and the winner will receive round-trip air transportation anywhere Alaska Airlines flies. This contest has a $10 entry fee, with proceeds benefiting Aloha United Way.

2. Arrive early or late to avoid crowds. The busiest time at this one-day festival typically is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We suggest arriving around 9 a.m. or during the final hours, from 2 to 4 p.m., when the crowds are smaller. ESPN Honolulu will hand out goodie bags to the first 2,500 people who come in the morning.

3. Check in at the main booth. After you enter the hall, immediately head right to pick up a map and sign a waiver form. That's where you will get the wristband required to participate in the activities. The activity zones are along the sides and back of the hall, so you may want to stick to the perimeter to check out all the action. The vendor booths are in the middle.

Photo: Courtesy of Lance Tominaga espnblog_fesitval_golf

4. Find age-appropriate activities. There are more than a dozen types of hands-on activities. For the youngest, there are mini golf courses, tennis and photo sessions with characters. If you're a woman (or plan to attend the festival with friends and family who are female), visit the Hono Women's Health booth to check vitals (blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, etc.) Kids older than 9 can participate in the rock climbing wall and football challenge. And for kids of all ages, there will be light saber demos, Nerf Gun battles and a Hawaiʻi Sports Hall of Fame exhibit, where you can learn about the Aloha State’s greatest sports figures—from surfing legend Rell Sunn to four-time Super Bowl champion Jesse Sapolu!

5. Collect your stamps. Make sure to get your Sports Passport before you head out to the activities. Pick up your passport at the check-in booth, get it stamped at each designated activity station then turn it in for a chance to win prizes!

The ESPN Honolulu Sports Festival is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 15, at the Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall, 777 Ward Ave. See the full schedule on espnhonolulu.com