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DeKalb Kite Fest planned Sept. 9 on campus

August 23, 2012

DeKalb Kite Fest 2011Colorful kites of all sizes and shapes will soar over the skies of DeKalb at the seventh annual DeKalb Kite Festival.

Kite Fest is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, on the NIU campus at the corner of Lucinda Avenue and Kishwaukee Drive, adjacent to Anderson Hall.

Admission is free, with VIP parking available for $3.

Many featured kites have to be seen to be appreciated, including fighting kites and an eye-popping display of three, 90-foot-long octopus kites called octophile. Other kites could include stunt and dancing kites, Mimi the Pink Ladybug, Teddy Bear, owl, manta ray and cat kites.

This family-oriented festival will feature kite-making for children, a candy drop, games, and other activities for the kids to enjoy all day long.

Food will be provided by Sweet Dreams Desserts and Catering and Sycamore Country Store and Catering. Ice cream will be available from Cream King. Other organizations participating include Art Attack, DeKalb Park District, Kishwaukee Health Corp., NIU STEM Outreach and Kite Harbor Kites.

DeKalb Kite Fest 2011Spectators are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets for comfortable seating.

Some of the area’s best kite-­fliers and kite­-builders will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate their skills. DeKalb Kite Fest offers plenty of space for participants to fly their own kites. Bring a kite, make a kite or buy a kite from Kite Harbor Kite Shop, which will be on-site.

“We thank all the local sponsors that enable us to bring Kite Fest to DeKalb County. They make it possible for us to provide this family friendly event to residents and visitors. Kite Fest brings visitors from as far away as Wisconsin and Minnesota,” said Doug Nelson, chair of Kite Fest and a board member of the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We also want to thank the participating hotels that donate complimentary hotel rooms for the kiters.”

Sponsors of the event include Kishwaukee Community Hospital, National Bank & Trust Company, Sieperts & Co., LLP, MorningStar Media Group Ltd., ProSound Productions, Shaw Publications, Northern Illinois University Athletics, WLBK, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and the DeKalb County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For more information about Kite Fest, call (815) 756-5164 or email darmstrong@dekalbcountycvb.com.