KAILUA — The 14th annual "I Love Kailua Town Party" yesterday dished out plenty of live Hawaiian music, local grinds, plants, crafts and that special something that makes it a fun event for people like Miranda Cardona.

"You come here and see familiar faces that you haven't seen in a long time, friends you know from 20-30 years ago," said Cardona, 40, who grew up in Kailua and now lives in Kane'ohe. "I ran into a few (Kailua High School) classmates today that I've seen maybe twice in the last 12 years."

The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle organized the town party, held for the third straight year on a closed stretch of Kailua Road between Ku'ulei Road and Hahani Street. The event featured more than 70 booths and live entertainment from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lyn Turner, a Kailua resident since 1966 and the event's coordinator, estimated attendance may have exceeded the record 5,000-plus of 2005. "I'd say between 5,000 to 6,000," a delighted Turner said.

Nancy Breon, a seven-year Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle member, added, "I know we've sold more scrips than last year."

Proceeds will be used for Phase III of the club's ongoing planting project on the roadway median leading into Kailua. The remaining unplanted stretch is about a half-mile long and should be completed by 2008. Monies generated by past town parties have supported other projects, such as the plant nursery at the Women's Community Correctional Center, said the organization's past president, Betsy Connors.

There's a lot to love about Kailua and its town party.

Hawai'i newcomers Javier Cortes, 27, from Dallas, and Renee Willis, 32, from Tulsa, Okla., yesterday enjoyed the live Hawaiian music.

"Nothing like this in Dallas," said Cortes, who is stationed up the road at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i. "The local music makes this such a special local event. I love it. And the food smelled good. I wanted to try the garlic shrimp, but they ran out, so we ate Mexican."

"The music and being outside on a nice, cool day is great," added Willis, who moved to Kailua in September.

Windward residents love their side of the island, and Kailua's pride was on display.

"Windward side da best," Cardona said. "Kailua, especially, is a beautiful town with outdoors people who love their water sports and gardening."

Added Turner, "I love Kailua because it's small. All the store people know you, and it's easy to get to places, because it's flat. I don't have to go to town. I get my Ala Moana fix twice a year. It's enough."

Punahou School eighth-grader Carey Colbert and her Aulea Swim Club teammates — their red T-shirts announce that Aulea is "Kailua's team" — were among the volunteers cleaning up after the event.

The 13-year-old said malassadas from Agnes Portuguese Bake Shop were her favorite snack at the event. But Carey and her teammates offered that, as they see it, the best thing about Kailua, besides the beach, is the chicken parmigiana at nearby Zia's Cafe.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.