Huge kites soar above Glen Ellyn's Maryknoll Park

The crowd was thinner than the wet, cold air at Maryknoll Park in Glen Ellyn during Sunday's kite event sponsored by the Glen Ellyn Park District, but it didn't stop some real kite lovers from launching one of the largest kites to ever fly over the suburbs.

Al Sparling of Naperville flew his 90-foot-long purple octopus to the amazement of those in attendance.

Sparling has flown his large kites on five continents and will be in several Chicago-area events this summer. He is part of the crew from Chicago Kite, a store that offers all kinds of varieties.