The Whidbey Island Kite Festival and Sportkite Competition will again fill the sky at Camp Casey with colorful kites of all shapes and sizes on Saturday, Sept. 15, and Sunday, Sept. 16, in Coupeville.

“It’s a family event and we have lots of activities that go on throughout the day,” Lisa Root, festival chairwoman and Whidbey Island Kite Fliers secretary treasurer, said.

“There will be lots of spectacular kites up in the air.”

The 18th annual festival features sport kite competitions flying in dual and multi-line events.

Small and giant kites will be flown on single lines.

Kite lessons are available as well as the teddy bear drop, kids kite-making and games for the youngsters.

The teddy bear drop will feature the furry stuffed animal being flown high up into the sky, then released to float slowly back down to earth with a parachute for young children to catch before it hits the ground.

The Central Whidbey Lions Club will have a booth at the field with hot dogs and soda.

There will be a “used kite loft,” where visitors can buy used kites for a good deal, along with T-shirts, hats and other merchandise.

There will be a big raffle, which is how the festival supports itself.

There will also be “mass ascensions,” in which anyone may join in to fly his or her kite, at noon on the main field both days.

A “mystery ballet” event will challenge kite flyers to fly their kites in an impromptu routine set to a surprise song.

The Whidbey Rev Flyers and Island Quad from British Columbia will be performing again this year. They will entertain with interpretive movements to music while flying their Four-line Revolution Kites in choreographed flight patterns.

On Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Coupeville High School Gym, the popular Indoor Kite Competition will dazzle spectators.

Fliers will fly their kites without wind, using only body and hand movements.

“It’s a really graceful and beautiful event,” Root said.

It takes at least 50 volunteers to run the event, Root said, and they’re expecting between 2,500 and 3,000 visitors depending on the weather.

“The festival is a great time to see the sky covered with spectacular kites of all kind.

“There aren’t too many kite festivals in Washington state,” Root said. “Come and see us.”

All events are free and open to the public. There is a $1 requested donation for parking by the Boys & Girls Club of Coupeville.

• For schedule of events, visit the festival website at www.whidbeykites.org or call 360-678-5434.