Update on Kite Festival
I had the pleasure of riding the ski lift on the day of the Kite Festival to get a bird's eye view of not only the festival, but the bike and board races held at Ski Beech on Saturday and Sunday. What an absolutely gorgeous day to enjoy the mountains and these two events!
Approximately 1000 people attended the Kite Festival this year. There were several vendors and most have already asked about reserving for next year too.
The colors are always a pleasure to see and there were so many kites that we did not see last year. Can't wait until next year's event!
This little guy was attached to the big colorful dragonfly-looking kite. The big kite is so large that it needs its own stablizer kite attached above it.
As the end of the festival wound down, the kites were brought in but will reappear again in September next year.August 25, 2009
Press Release by Craig Distl
Photography by Debbie Canady
Press Release by Craig Distl
Photography by Debbie Canady
Mile High Kite Festival – Fun Option for Labor Day Weekend
BEECH MOUNTAIN, N.C. –Looking for something different this Labor Day weekend? Go fly a kite. The seventh annual Mile High Kite Festival is a free event that takes place Sunday, Sept. 6, in the meadows at the top of Beech Mountain next to the Brick Oven Pizzeria. The festival allows children of all ages to fly a kite at an altitude one mile above sea level. It is sponsored by the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Richmond Air Force kite club from Virginia and the Winds Across Carolina Club and Okra Society from Charlotte. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge for admission and free kites are given to the first 200 children under 12. There will also be a vendor selling a variety of kites, and folks are welcome to bring their own. Contests will be held for biggest, smallest and best-decorated kites. All participants receive an official certificate from Beech Mountain mayor Rick Owen that proclaims: “I flew a kite a mile high at Beech Mountain.” Two members of the Richmond Air Force – Terry Murray and Will Smoot – serve as announcers for the festival, sharing their knowledge of kiting while playing kite-themed music throughout the day. “The neatest thing about the event is when people drive up the mountain and walk into the field,” says Calder Smoot, the event organizer. “There is just this blast of color with all these kites flying everywhere.” The field is divided into two areas: one for exhibitions/demonstrations from the kite clubs and one for the general public. Other activities include: children’s races while pulling bol kites, face painting, and a variety of craft vendors. Festivities for the Mile High Kite Festival weekend actually begin Saturday, Sept. 5, with a special clinic for kite makers from 2-4 p.m. Folks are encouraged to bring their homemade kites, and members of the kite clubs will be on-hand to discuss the intricacies of building kites. There will also be an all-ages street dance from 7-9 p.m. Saturday in front of town hall. For information, call (800) 468-5506 or visit http://www.beechmtn.com/
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