HIBT parade 2009 (Photo courtesy of HIBT)

Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament organizers has announced the popular HIBT parade is 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1 in Kailua Village.

The parade will begin at the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel and wind its way through Kailua Village ending at Hualalai Road.

The HIBT parade will feature international teams including crowd favorites from Australia, South Africa, Tahiti, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Papua New Guinea and of course, teams from US, including California, Hawaii, Florida.

Also included in the parade lineup will be Miss Billfish 2010, Kona Shriners and Hawaii County Band. In all, more than 26 parade entries will excite parade goers.

“We invite the entire community, young and old, to come and bring their families to this fun-filled parade. Teams are excited to be here in beautiful Kona, fishing five great days and look forward to the smiles that await them at the parade,” said HIBT Founder Peter Fithian. “The tournament also recognizes the long standing tradition of the Billfish Parade and really sees this parade as the official start of the 51st Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.”

The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is underwritten by the generosity of the County of Hawaii and sponsored in part by Oceanic Time Warner Cable, KWXX Radio and numerous corporate and community donors.

For more information on the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, including team listings, IGFA world-record rules and a daily recap of tournament standings, visit www.hibtfishing.com