The Kite Festival
Our first order of
business included a trip into Aberdeen to purchase a new camera. My trusty camera that produced awesome photos
for the last few years decided to quit, and refused to open its lens. I was delighted
to find another Canon Power Shot 160 (160 improved over my old 100). It is the
point and shoot camera for me. It possesses all the bells and whistle I need,
doesn’t cost a lot and give great results.
Saturday morning the pterodactyl
garden flew below the typical gray skies.
The group pooled their pterodactyls to create an impressive entrance
into the park. Later in the day the sun
came out and the wind came up and the dinosaurs flew against a bright blue sky. Hurray!
The Kiters (those who fly and make kites) look forward to this free fly festival. The Up Your Wind Festival offers the last kite flying gathering of the season. Putting kites, critters, tubes, banners, wind socks, spinners and lawn art in the air is the only required activity. It's a time to visit with friends and bring closure to the season. No assigned activities are scheduled.
Judges selected from local merchants arrive unceremoniously during the day. The wander around, clipboards in hand (that’s how you know they are judges) and rate things flying in the area or decorating the lawn. The results are revealed at a dinner that evening.
People arrive in the
morning dragging kite gear to the beach. Some preferto drive their kite gear on the
beach.
Lines with a large
number of smaller kites dance in the air.
I can’t remember what these are called…regrets to my kiting friends.
The lines of kites arch over the
beach and fill the skies like multicolored rainbows.
People send the big
flat kites high in the wind and tethered them for display. Of course you need
to keep an eye on them in case the winds shift.
Kites called sled
kites billow in the wind.
Some have long tails that float with the breeze.
I thought this BIG
yellow jellyfish had a circular design like a real jellyfish, until I walked down
the beach and saw it from a different angle.
The clown fish under a wave kite
changed as viewed from several points along the beach.
I’m not sure about this cow…??? Although the owners also wore white clothing
with black spots. Hmm
The cat, Garfield (?),
lay on the beach until midafternoon. Then the wind offered enough strength to
lift him off the sand and a few feet into the air.
These wind tubes also
need a strong wind to get them off the beach.
The eyes however
never left the beach. The big blue eyes
just rolled a bit and kept an eye on you.
The frogs, rings and
Superdog added interest to the other flying shapes.
Kites of various
geometric designs created and interesting look as they flew on display.
Kites, Kites, and
more Kites high in the sky!
These kiters come
prepared for the festival. Serious
kiters invest a great deal in their hobby. Not everyone carries their supplies
in trailers like these. Many kites fill the bays and storage areas of RVs and their tow vehicles.
Lawn art fills the
campsites. The judges had lots to look at and rate. Red, White and Blue colors stood out among
the displays.
Lots of people dressed in patriotic colors, even some of the dogs did too! I think this is Gracie, but it could be Lily, I have trouble knowing which is which.
Check out this high
flyer at rest. Notice the trapezoid fills
the campsite almost from on rig to the next.
Under the Sea must
have been the theme of this display. It reminded me of The Little Mermaid movie.
Complete with vibrant
Seahorses and flying Puffins. Love the seahorses!
Spiky and geometric flyers
catch the eye as they twirl on their poles.
Assorted windsocks and yard art. This Life Saver design intrigues me.
Carl’s fish put on
quite a show, especially when seen from walking on the beach.
Banners stand out as
you look down the street. The duck one
made me laugh. The Up Your Wind banner was especially made for this event.
Happy Hour signs and spinners
speak to the mood of the festival. Rest,
relaxation and fun!
We found this festival
to be a laid back, high flying, and colorful event. Glad we were here!
