Washington County Enterprise-Leader
March Winds Make Kites Fly
March winds are what is called for when it comes to the annual Cane Hill Kite Festival.
The 17th festival will be held Saturday, March 3, on the spacious grounds of Springfield Ranch in downtown Cane Hill. It begins at noon and will last throughout the afternoon. The fun usually ends around 5 p.m. In case of rain or snow, the Kite Festival will be postponed until March 10.
The event has grown every year and a record crowd of 471 people attended last year to fly kites or help someone else fly a kite. The 2017 event also beat expectations with abundant sunshine, warm temperatures and a windy day to fly all kinds of kits.
Cost to fly a kite is only $1 for kids and $2 for adults. Participants can bring their own kites or
purchase one there, with prices ranging from $1-$12. Military families, retired or active, are free. There is no charge for anyone showing up just to watch the kites.
Parking is free and preferred handicap parking is available.
Friends of Prairie Grove Pound will sell concessions in the hospitality tent. A kite hospital will be on site where seasoned experts will assemble and repair kites. Numerous volunteers will be available in the fields to assist in flying.
The Fifty Cent Raffle (only one ticket allowed per person) will award large nylon kites at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. In addition, numerous small prizes will be awarded throughout the day for totally frivolous categories.
The Kite Festival is hosted by T.A. Sampson, who was inspired to start the event while walking her dogs on her ranch one day. She realized the large, open hilltop pasture was windy and would make a great place to fly kites.
She started the festival as a way to give families a fun and affordable activity and as a way to give back to others. Sampson is able to keep the costs low with help from sponsors and volunteers.
For more information, call 479-824-8109, email canehill kitefest@aol.com or go to the Cane Hill Kite Festival Facebook page.