A sky-high tradition
Kite Fly-Inn at Weekapaug Inn celebrates the start of summer
After enduring several months of early sunsets and cold, damp days, New Englanders often welcome the onset of summer with open arms. As spring advances, you’ll find more and more people enjoying themselves outdoors and rediscovering the activities they had to put on hiatus over the winter.
For several years, the Weekapaug Inn in Westerly, R.I. has been celebrating the unofficial start of summer by holding a “Kite Fly-Inn” over Memorial Day weekend. Families are invited to bring along kites or make their own, filling the sky over Quonochontaug Pond with bright colors and designs.
Mark Bullinger, recreation director at Weekapaug Inn, says he believes the event was first introduced in 2013 after the inn was formally reopened the previous fall.
“We were looking for some fun family events, kind of simple family events to kick off the summer,” says Bullinger. “We have a great big open backyard, and we’re right on the water, so we typically have pretty good breezes. It’s just a great place for kite flying.”
Long tables are set up on the Weekapaug Inn’s lawn with paint, markers, glitter, and other art supplies. Each attendee receives their own kite, constructed from the durable polyethylene material Tyvek, to decorate.
“Some kids just go for finger painting, others try out more intricate patterns,” says Bullinger. “They get pretty creative. I’ve seen a lot of different designs.”
While the kites are set aside to dry, children can clamber aboard a pirate ship playset or try out lawn games like cornhole, bocce, or shuffleboard. The inn also sets up grills and supplies food such as hot dogs, lemonade and ice cream.
Once they’re ready, the kites are rigged up so they can take to the sky. There are also several premade kites available for participants to fly, along with some larger kites that are stationed in the air.
If the wind conditions are right, Bullinger demonstrates the tricks he can perform with a stunt kite. He estimates that there are about 25 to 30 kites flying simultaneously at the peak of the event.
Guests take home their kite at the end of the day. Bullinger says he appreciates how the Kite Fly-Inn brings together families for an old-fashioned activity that lets them enjoy the outdoors.
“It’s mostly about being out on this big beautiful backyard with sweeping water views,” he says. “It’s a beautiful way to spend a couple of hours right on the cusp of summer.”
The Kite Fly-Inn takes place from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, May 24. Weekapaug Inn requires that people attending the event reserve a spot in advance. Admission is $15 per person.