Wind gusting from 20 to 30 mph and faster made for very challenging kite flying at the free, family-friendly fifth annual Redwood Coast Kite Festival and Artisan Fair held along the Humboldt Bay waterfront at Halvorsen Park in Eureka on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17. The Family Fly kite field open for all skill levels attracted a kite-flying crowd throughout the two days with only a few kites ending up stranded high in nearby trees.
The event featured professional kite-flyer demonstrations, an artisan fair, a DJ and live music by Bandemonium with its wind instruments (pun intended), food vendors and free small white, traditionally shaped kites for kids. But after one attempt to launch a giant inflatable kite on Saturday in the strong winds out of the north, organizers grounded any more giant kites out on the field for safety reasons both days.
“I was worried once the wind gusts hit 40 mph,” said festival coordinator Toby Griggs, “and we had to make the decision to go with the small kites.” At one point on Sunday morning, multiple canopies for the sound booth and vendors went flying as well.
Jeffrey Reynolds, of Arcata, was one of the featured flyers of the festival who were still able to use their specialized kites for aerial choreography shows on the demonstration field during the blustery weekend. “I like the challenge of sewing my own kites now and wish I could have flown some of my own creations at the festival,” he said. “Unfortunately, the wind was just too strong this year, so I flew a simple, inexpensive dual-line kite that I’ve had in my bag for probably 10 years or so. Luckily, it was small enough and sturdy enough to handle the gusts. Hopefully next year the weather will cooperate, and we’ll be able to bring out some of the fancier big kites.”
The community kite field for all skill levels frequently looked like a “Game of Thrones” scene as multiple dragon kites filled the air throughout the two days of the kite festival. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson
Saturday featured three successful candy drops for children, with goodies descending from a kite. But on Sunday, given the strong gusty wind, a festival volunteer threw the treats up into the air out of a hand-held bucket.
The festival is a DreamMaker project of the local nonprofit Ink People, featuring collaboration among Humboldt County kite flyers, artists, artisans and galleries. Learn more at humboldtkiters.org. For the full slideshow of the day’s highlights, visit northcoastjournal.com.
This article appears in ‘Devastation’.