10th Annual Arvada Kite Festival April 14, 2012

Hey! Look What’s Up!
10th Annual Arvada Kite Festival


Kites date back as far as 3000 years and have changed history. The ancient Chinese used kites to ward off evil spirits and used them to carry messages into the heavens for the Gods. Ben Franklin disregarded common sense in 1752 to secure an electrifying place in kiting history. Alexander Graham Bell spent his whole life tinkering with kites and in 1909 constructed these enormous kites capable of lifting grown men 100-feet in the air. These days kites are mostly a source of recreation and fun.

On Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Arvada Festivals Commission and community partner, the Foothills Kite Club, celebrates National Kite Month at the 10th Annual Kite Festival held at Robby Ferrufino Park, 74th Ave. and Carr Drive. Young and old kite enthusiasts are invited to join the kite competition and winners will carry home trophies. This event is always free and open to the public.

This is the only Festival in the Metro area celebrating National Kite Month and this year aerial entertainment will be provided by the kite masters from the Foothills Kite Club with demonstration of kite flying in grand style with some of their fantastic kites. Other Kite Club members share their passion for flying with demonstrations of beautiful kites and intricate maneuvers.
Parking available at the park, Meyers Pool at 77th and Carr, and Warder Elementary School, near 88th and Carr, and there will be shuttle service from there to the Festival. For more information or to volunteer call 720-898-7400 or go on line at. www.arvadafestivals.com
Stay all day for special activities from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. including:
· Jeffco Brass Band for your enjoyment at 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
· Music all day long
· Kite contests at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - Two age groups, 10 years and younger and 11years and older, including adults with four categories in each age group: smallest kites, largest kites, highest kites and most visually appealing kites. Trophies awarded!
· Children can make and decorate a small kite for free
· YMCA fun, fitness games
· Art Fun
· Alpacas to pet and wool to dye
· Two jumping castles, Cecilia's Little Train
· Face painting, Balloon animals, Caricaturist and portrait artists
· Over 20 food and community vendors
· Kites available for sale at reasonable prices.
"This is Colorado's premier Kite celebration and we're planning an anniversary party," says event co-coordinator, Jody Weiland. "We have activities for everyone along with lots of food and community booths." Kite Fest co-organizer Dudley Weiland says, "We want this year's event to be special, so we have added some exciting activites and more live music."

The Arvada Festivals Commission will produce seven varied large and small events in 2011, entertains over 45,000 guests annually, and is looking for members and event volunteers. For more information call 720-898-7400 or visit www.arvadafestivals.com.

10th Annual Arvada Kite Festival - Beautiful kites, special events, activities and prize drawings. Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Robby Ferrufino Park, 74th Ave. & Carr Drive. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 720-898-7400. www.arvadafestivals.com