The sky over Mike Wallace Memorial Park at the Port of Kingston will glitter with a razzle-dazzle of kites Saturday, March 29 as the Downtown Kingston Association debuts a new community festival, Kites Over Kingston. The event takes place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We’re really excited about it,” said DKA member Nancy Martin. “We just want to give people the idea that downtown Kingston is a fun place to come and visit.”
Everyone is welcome to join in what looks to be a great way to kick off springtime. Free kites will be provided to the first 40 kids who sign in, but adults are encouraged to participate as well with their favorite kites – store-bought or homemade. Kite making will also take place during the event from noon-2 p.m. and adults will help kids get their craft up in the air.
DKA hopes professional kite flyers and gifted amateurs with special kites in dragon and box designs will join in. Internationally renowned professional sandcastle builder and local resident Charlie Beaulieu may get involved with the event in some way, too, Martin said.
The day opens with a parade of kites at 11 a.m. and entrants are invited to wear costumes to coordinate with their kites.
Following the parade, kites will be judged in several categories including best homemade kite, best miniature kite (under 12 inches), most unusual kite that flies and best banner, flag or ground display. Even the Kingston Community News gets into the act – another prize will be awarded to the best newspaper kite made from KCN.
At 11:30 a.m., a timed competition gets underway, followed by a freestyle kite flying contest.
The event wraps up at 2 p.m.
In addition to the kite activities, DKA will be playing kite-themed music through a sound system and hopes to have a food vendor or two on hand to fuel the flyers.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed to the following Saturday, Martin said.
The Port of Kingston gave its enthusiastic approval for Kites Over Kingston and anticipates working with DKA in the future, said port manager Mike Bookey. He indicated the port is considering bringing other events to the park this summer to draw residents and visitors downtown. Ideas include a salmon bake, pig roast, Taste of Kingston event, beer garden and dog agility competitions, some of which may be tied into the Tunes on Tuesday concerts, which Bookey would like to see move to Saturdays. He said Kitsap County’s parks department wants to hand the concert series over to the port and will make that transition this summer.
Kites Over Kingston will be an annual event, Martin said, but may grow to the point where it needs to be moved to a larger field.
Kites Over Kingston Schedule of Events
The event takes to the skies 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29 at Mike Wallace Memorial Park at the Port of Kingston.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed to the following Saturday.
11 a.m. Opening parade of kites. Entrants are invited to wear costumes to coordinate with their kites.Free kites provided for the first 40 kids who sign up.
11:15 a.m. Kite Judging
Categories:
• Best homemade kite
• Best miniature kite under 12 inches
• Best newspaper kite made from the Kingston Community News
• Most unusual kite that flies
• Best banner, flag, or ground display
11:30 a.m. Let Her Fly timed competition
Noon Freestyle kite flying
Noon-2 p.m. Kite making
