Colorful kites of all shapes and sizes will fill the sky above Camp Casey once again this month during the Whidbey Island Kite Festival.
The festival is Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21.
The festival features sport kite competitions with individuals and teams flying in dual and multi-line events, small and giant kites flown on single lines, kite lessons, a teddy bear drop, kids’ kite making and other children’s activities.
A mass ascension, in which anyone can participate, will be at noon both days.
Members of the Whidbey Island Kite Fliers and others will be offering lessons on dual-and quad-line kites, organizer Lisa Root said.
There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
Fliers come from all over to compete, Root said.
“We get people from Oregon, Southern Washington, even Canada,” she said.
The precision kite flying team, Island Quad, with members from British Columbia and Washington, will be performing again. They entertain with interpretive movements to music while flying their quad-line Revolution Kites in a choreographed flight pattern.
This team has been flying at the festival for a number of years and is always fun to watch, Root said.
Whidbey quad team Oddsquad will also be performing. The team can often be seen practicing at Fort Casey or City Beach Park in Oak Harbor.
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening, the Indoor Kite Competition takes place in the Coupeville High School gym.
The indoor kite flying is one of Root’s favorite events and is becoming quite popular, she said.
“I don’t fly it, but I like to watch it,” she said.
The event consists of flying the kites without wind — using only the fliers’ body and hand movements.
The festival will offer some food options, including hotdogs provided by the Central Whidbey Lions Club and an espresso truck.
There is also a raffle with items donated from individuals and businesses from all over Whidbey Island.
Root said the raffle is the club’s main source of fundraising.
For more information and the schedule of events, go to www.whidbeykites.org
