Kite flying contest in Crystal Lake

The Crystal Lake Park District would like to tell all its residents to go fly a kite. Literally, not figuratively.

As one of more than 60 park districts in the state of Illinois participating in the "Flying 4 Kids" kite fly, the district is hoping to see as many people as possible flying kites during this very special event.

The Crystal Lake Park District Kite Fly will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Lippold Park at the southeast soccer fields. Lippold Park is on Route 176, just west of Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

This event is free. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Crystal Lake Park District's kite fly will have competitions in categories such as biggest kite, smallest kite and highest flying kite. Participants are encouraged to bring their own kites.

For more information, call Joe Davison at the Crystal Lake Park District at (815) 459-0680, Ext. 228 or visit www.crystallakeparks.org.

The goal of "Flying for Kids" is to raise awareness of the Park District Youth License Plate, which features a colorful kite. Proceeds of $25 from the sale and subsequent renewals of each plate is placed into the state park district association's Power Play Grant Program, a special grant fund to benefit beyond-school programming for youth at park districts and recreation agencies throughout Illinois.

For more information about the Park District Youth License Plate or to place an order, call the Illinois Secretary of State's office at (217) 782-7758. Vanity and personalized plates are available. Request forms can be accessed on the Web at www.cyberdriveillinois.com or www.ILparks.org.