A large beautiful kite floating majestically high above the ground is a sure sign of spring and a colourful assemblage of kites drifting aloft over Riverside Park in Okotoks will single the end of what had been a long, bleak winter.
That’s the assertion of Okotoks’ community events liaison Marg Cox who said the second annual Kite Day will go ahead Sunday afternoon under any conditions.
“There may be snow on the ground it’s hard to say,” Cox said, “but we will be going wind or no wind, snow, rain whatever.”
There is no charge to be a part of this event and any kite will do. Something crafted from parts of a cereal box will work as long as it can get airborne. A kite-making workshop was held last Sunday at the Okotoks Art Gallery and many of the personalized designs from that event will be taking to the air this weekend.
Demonstrating just how much range can be found in today’s tethered aircraft will be southern Alberta’s own The Kite Guys who should have plenty of single line kites and dual line sport kites for people to see and try for themselves.
Based on her Kite Day experiences last year, Cox said she is expecting quite an aerial spectacle this Sunday.
“We close the day with the flying of colours,” she said. “So we’ve got all these kites up in the air and it’s very festive. Even when a lot to them are not in the air they are still beautiful to see.”
For those who don’t have a kite Cox said there will still be many earthbound delights to enjoy.
“There’ll be some giveaways, food samples, popcorn -- the whole nine yards,” she said. “Whatever it takes to make a festival we’ve got it going on.”
Many local business and non-profit groups will be a part of Kite Day as well including KidSport who will be running a charity barbecue and Monkey Mountain Toys and Games who will have their mascot on site.
Kite Day goes from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Riverside Park in Okotoks and there will be a competitive aspect to the proceedings with kite judging for homemade kites at 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top kites in different categories and children’s age groups.
For more information on this free celebration of airborne fun and originality can call Cox at (403) 938-8950.
