Rescheduled kite event set in Antioch

Thwarted by rain about four months ago, Antioch will try again Oct. 3 to host an inaugural kite event.

Tim Osmond Sports Complex at 96 E. Depot St. will be the site for the Family Kite Flying Day, provided the weather cooperates this time. The free event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shawn Roby, special events supervisor for the village's parks department, said a crowd of 60 to 70 turned out for the first unsuccessful effort, cut short on the rainy day in June. He said it's hoped about 200 people will show up Oct. 3.

Antioch's event will be sponsored by Chicago Kite. Those who attend may bring their own kites or buy one from the company at the sports complex.

Roby said Chicago Kite's Dave Zavell is scheduled to entertain the crowd with tricks and flying tips. He said Zavell had a 75-foot kite and a no-wind model when he came to Antioch in June.

Antioch joins a suburban list of kite festivals that includes Naperville, Glenview, Glen Ellyn and Roselle. Naperville's stretched over two days in early June and featured kite-flying lessons, music, demonstrations, stunts and raffles.

Roby said he looked into establishing Antioch's kite-flying event on the suggestion of a parks department commissioner last year. He said the event will get children moving around outside and afford an opportunity for family bonding.

"I think it'll go well," Roby said. "This is an opportunity for the adults to discover the kid inside of them."