By Annika Morschauser
Contributing Writer
GREEN BAY – As a way of giving back to the community and fundraising for all the free programs they provide, Family & Childcare Resources of northeast Wisconsin hosts an annual Fly a Kite Fest event.
Family & Childcare Resources is a non-profit organization that promotes healthy child development, supporting parents and childcare providers in several ways.
For parents, there are support groups, classes and seminars to attend in order to help build their ability to take care of their children.
With each year the Fly a Kite event has taken place, the size of it grows hence the location change to Nicolet Airport this year.
Lauren Waters, Outreach and Communications Specialist, explained, “We wanted to have more professional kite flyers coming and we wanted to have more attendees and more kids’ activities and things like that, so we knew that we needed more space… The Nicolet Airport is, I think, about 65 acres of open land, so we can really spread out this year which we’re really excited about.”
The nonprofit works with the Wisconsin Kiters Association to provide professional kite flyers for the event, bringing in around 30-40 professional kite flyers each year.
Waters said, “We also have people come from five different states to donate their time for the whole weekend of Kite Fest and they keep coming back every single year.”
The kiters bring all different types of kites.
There are kites used for performances and stunts and others as large as buses that float in the air.
One kite even drops candy.
Apart from the kiters’ area, there will be an area for the public to fly their own kites as well as a kite decorating tent for kids.
In addition to kites, Fly a Kite Fest will have many other fun and exciting activities for kids and adults, such as arts and crafts and carnival-like games such as ring toss.
There will be different types of shows that involve magic, science and comedy all performing in the main tent at different times throughout the day.
Total Self Defense will be there for karate demonstrations.
While you’re there, keep an eye out for special guests such as Princess Tiana, Spider-man, McGruff the Crime Dog and mascots from around the area who will be walking around during the earlier portions of the event.
The best part is that it’s free as Waters said, “We wanted to keep it free so that all families could enjoy it.”
Family and Childcare Resources of N.E.W. will host the 10th annual Fly a Kite Fest on June 24, 10a.m.-4 p.m. at Nicolet Airport, 245 Bins Ct., Green Bay.
Parking will be available at Celebration Church on Humboldt Road as there is no parking at Nicolet Airport.
Shuttles will be running throughout the event to get people to and from the church and airport.
“It’s just a fun day for everyone. Adults like seeing the kites. They like doing the raffles. And then kids like all the kids’ activities and decorating their kites. There’s just something for everyone,” Waters added.
For more information, visit http://www.flyakitefest.org.