Kite festival brings show to the sky

The 15th annual Cape Fear Kite Festival will take place at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Nov. 5-6. (Photo courtesy of Cape Fear Kite Festival)

Dozens of kites will dance among the clouds over Fort Fisher State Recreation Area during the Cape Fear Kite Festival Nov. 5-6.

Professional kite fliers will travel to Wilmington from across the country to participate in the event, including award-winning sport kite flier John Barresi and his partner Meshelle Sharples. Barresi and Sharples will perform together both days of the festival, said Cape Fear Kite Festival committee chair Carey Jones.

“They do this acrobatic ballet in the sky with their quad line kites,” Jones said. “Then other quad line kite fliers start to fly with them, so you have this gorgeous stunt kite show going on.” 

In addition to the sport kites, Jones confirmed a large array of inflatable kites for the event. The inflatable kites, some as large as 90 feet, are in the shape of animals, coastal creatures and more. 

The festival was canceled last year due to a “bizarre nor’easter” last year, but Jones said she is hoping the weather will be better this year.

“Most of the kites can fly in a little bit of wind, a little bit of rain. It’s the really high winds and the driving rain that they can’t fly in,” she said, adding that no wind is also a problem.

Festival organizers beefed up festival offerings to ensure a fun day even if weather conditions aren’t ideal.  

Kids can create their own customized kite at a kite decorating workshop, Jones said, and South Carolina-based Klig’s Kites will have kites for sale, including more “sophisticated” sport kites used for stunts.

Visitors can choose from a selection of food and drinks to enjoy at the festival. Early birds can get a caffeine fix from Brighter Days Coffee, and those with a taste for something stronger can buy beer from Flying Machine Brewing Company and Good Hops Brewing. Wheelz Pizza, Poor Piggy’s and Lobster Dogs are among the food trucks that will be available. 

New to the event this year is a night fly on the beach in front of the Courtyard Carolina Beach Oceanfront hotel from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Nov. 4. Jones said the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event, will have hot chocolate for sale for visitors who come to watch the illuminated kites. 

The Cape Fear Kite Festival will take place 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Nov. 5 and 6. Entry is free.