Kite Fest soars again Sunday at Firebrook Park
Apr. 10—The phrase "go fly a kite" has been used as a dismissive statement. At southern Pulaski's Firebrook Park, it's a festive invitation.
The fourth-annual Kite Day at Firebrook Park off of Ferry Road takes place this Sunday, April 14, giving people the opportunity to enjoy the "age-old, time-honored tradition" of letting the string unspool and a kite soar high in the area, noted park board member Andrea Clue.
"I actually lived in Lexington for quite a few years before I moved down here," said Clue. "They had an annual Kite Fest at ... Jacobson Park. I thought that was the neatest idea and it was something that I wanted to bring to our community that I thought was different and unique."
The event tends to draw several hundred people, depending on the weather, and this year's forecast "looks beautiful," said Clue. "It should be gorgeous and sunny. .... Traditionally around this time of year, you do get a good breeze coming through and there are always kites aloft."
The event is free to the public, and activities last from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., though people are encouraged to stay and enjoy the park as long as they like.
There's more to do than just flying kites, however. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library will be present with "a fun activity," noted Clue. The Memorial Education Center will be debuting a new sensory RV, retrofitted with a number of sensory activities that can go out to public events. Local Girl Scouts will be making special bookmarks that look like caterpillars, and the Young Professionals of Lake Cumberland will be holding potato sack racing.
"All of our partners, we asked them to try to think of an old-fashioned, laid-back activity," said Clue. "Kids are on electronics and everything these days. Part of our event is (about) just the glory of being outside, enjoying the fresh air, and doing some activities that maybe kids don't normally do."
Kids can also enjoy the Wanda Bolze Memorial Readers to Leaders Storybrook Trail, which will be debuting a new book, which can be read in segments while walking along the trail.
The book, "Adventures with Grandma," by Cindy Jarrett and Elaine Reynolds, and the book has local connections, noted Clue.
"Devin and Michele Reynolds ... live out on that end of the county," said Clue. "It is Devin's mother that co-authored the book."
Elaine Reynolds, an Ohio resident, wrote a number of books with her friend Jarrett, including "Firefly Fourth of July," "The Old Man in the Tree," and "Sammy the Sea Star."
Said Clue, "We specifically asked for one of her books to be at Firebrook Park, since that is in the area where (her family lives), just as kind of a tribute to her."
The Knob Farms BBQ and Bakery food truck will be on hand to help those with hungry stomachs get something to eat at Kite Fest, and will be on site from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. People are encouraged to bring picnic blankets out and enjoy lunch while at the park.
While some people bring their own kites, from the simple basics to fancy decorative ones, some people don't have kites at all. The Firebrook Park Board has a limited number of free kites to be given away to anyone without one so they can take part.
"A lot of kids, whenever they come to Kite Fest — and even some adults — it's their very first time ever flying a kite," said Clue. "It's always very exciting to hear that."
