The skies above Fort Casey will be aflutter with color this weekend during the Whidbey Island Kite Festival.

The festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17-18 at the Camp Casey Conference Center.

The annual event is composed of several family-friendly activities. Each day will kick off with single line challenges, and sportkite competitions will take place throughout the day on the main field. At 12:30 p.m. each day, the skies will fill with kites during a mass ascension.

Each day will also include kite demos, lessons and kids’ activities like kitemaking, the Running of the Bols and the ever-popular Teddy Bear Drop, as well as a raffle for kites, kite accessories and other items.

A highlight of the festival is the Saturday evening indoor kite-flying competition at 7 p.m. in the Coupeville High School gymnasium. During the competition, kites will be propelled without wind, using only the power and deft control of their fliers who will perform routines set to music.

The Central Whidbey Lions Club will once again be serving up hot dogs, chili and soda, while Kaffee Haus Espresso will serve coffee, smoothies and waffles.

Lisa Root, festival co-chair, said a forecast of fair weather bodes well for attendance. She anticipates about 2,000 spectators—about that of last year — and 10-12 competitive teams, including the Whidbey Rev Flyers and Island Quad.

Though competition entry is closed, anyone is welcome to fly a kite in the non-competitive festival events.

For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit www.whidbeykites.org or call 360-678-5434.