Kite Fest soars in year four with picture perfect conditions
Apr. 16—There are nice days to fly a kite — and then there was Sunday.
With warm but not hot temperatures, skies as sunny and clear as an old-school Microsoft desktop wallpaper, and a breeze that could carry a kite high into the air, the fourth-annual Kite Day at Firebrook Park in southern Pulaski County was given a picture-perfect day — and made the most of it.
"The weather worked out beautifully — the only thing we weren't in charge of worked in our favor," said Andrea Clue, Firebrook Park board member and the individual who sought to bring Kite Fest to the community after being inspired by a similar event in Lexington.
Wind gusts between 25 and 30 mile per hour provided the ideal conditions for the event, which saw families either bring their own kites or get a free one there on site at the venue off of Ferry Road.
"It (was) sunny and windy, which are the two ingredients you need for Kite Fest," said Clue.
The turnout was strong — better than last year, noted Clue — with parents and kids spread out all over the green grounds. For many families, perhaps, it was an opportunity to introduce their youngsters to something the parents enjoyed doing when they were younger — and for the adults, a chance to revisit a simpler time.
"Honestly, adults are on their electronics just as much as kids are," said Clue. "The great thing about (Kite Fest) is seeing ... nobody on their electronics, seeing everybody engaging with each other, flying kites, Hula Hooping, playing giant Jenga, painting rocks — just doing kind of old-fashioned fun activities together, and building memories to last a lifetime."
Two such people were Ryan Crivolio and daughter Jenna, age 11, who was flying one of the many colorful kites of different shapes and designs that could be seen Sunday — this one bearing the image of Marvel Comics superhero Iron Man.
"This is our first time," said Ryan of attending Kite Fest. "Every spring we go out and fly. We usually go out to (Pulaski County Park) and fly kites there."
But Ryan was impressed with the scene at Firebrook Park, as was Jenna, who told the Commonwealth Journal that she was having fun as she steadied her kite in the air.
"It's my first time doing a kite (event)," she said. "It's very windy."
Pulaski County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd was on hand and though he wasn't flying a kite himself, he did enjoy seeing others make such fun use of Firebrook Park.
"It's a great turnout — lots of people and lots of kids here," he said on Sunday. "We're really blessed to have such a good park system throughout the county. ... We want to do everything we can to keep the park system growing and thriving and inviting for young people."
