Kites to take flight March 24
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Sponsored by KaleidoKites, a store specializing in kites and kaleidoscopes, the festival takes place at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, seven miles south of town on Ark. Hwy. 23. Kite fliers gather at the large field, high on a ridge that catches every breeze that comes along.
The free festival is for kite lovers, who come to fly kites together. The promoters said there is plenty of free parking, plus food and kites for sale. Kids can design and make their own sled kites at a minimal cost, then experience the thrill of watching them go airborne.
Kiters come from many states — one year as far as Oregon — to share the event.
Wind conditions determine what sort of kite will fly best, but over the years the festival has seen single line deltas, cellulars, boxes, parafoils, sleds, fighters, rokkakus, dragons and octopuses, along with dual-line and quad-line sport kites have taken to the skies. Butterflies, airplanes, frogs, dragons, and sailing ships of all colors and sizes will sail above the refuge, and several kites, including a Premier Kite Tiger Rokkaku, valued at $140 and donated by KaleidoKites, will be available through a drawing. Tickets for the drawing will be sold at the festival.
Participants are urged to bring kites, chairs, and coolers and make a day of family memories. Turpentine Creek will be open by admission fee for touring.
More information is available at (479) 253-6596.