Third annual Kite Fly Festival returns to Naperville this weekend

Folks aren't being nasty this week in Naperville if they suggest you go fly a kite.

Actually, it'll be something of a compliment as Naperville Park District prepares to launch its third annual Frontier Kite Fly Festival Saturday and Sunday in Frontier Park at 3380 Cedar Glade Drive behind Neuqua Valley High School on the city's south side.

The colorful celebration will feature countless kites in a variety of shapes and sizes - with some as long as 60 feet.

"It's really a sight to see all the kites in the air," said Sameera Luthman, park district marketing and communications manager. "It's a lot more than just launching a kite and letting it float in the air. They're trained to do different maneuvers that make it kind of exciting."

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days and features several kite enthusiast groups including Chicago Kite, Sparkling Kite Entertainment, Chromatic Kites and Holl Entertainment.

You can learn how to fly a kite with the professionals, but keep in mind that most kites featured at the festival aren't the ones you'll find for sale in a little bag at the grocery store, organizers say.

"You can see them from a couple of miles away because they are so large," said Erin McNulty, corporate relations manager with the park district. "Families can come for an hour or a couple hours or they can spend all day out there."

Visitors can take a hike around the large park or picnic on a blanket beneath the fluttering rainbow of colors.

Beyond kites, 95.9-FM The River will provide music. Concessions will be available, in addition to a hospitality tent. For $5, children can play in the NASA fun area that includes inflatable bounce houses, a climbing wall, penny carnival games and more.

Past crowd favorites include kite stunts and a large kite with a pouch that rains candy down on the children similar to a piñata, Luthman said.

"It's the sheer magic of seeing these giant kites in the air and seeing these themes and animals," Luthman said. "People have completely different expectations. They see it in front of them and it's beyond their wildest dreams."

For information, visit napervilleparks.org.

<p class="breakhead">Frontier Kite Fly Festival</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Frontier Park, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville </p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> Free, $5 for Penny Carnival and NASA Family Fun area</p>