Fly a kite at Wheaton parks event

Last year, more than 1,200 people gathered at a Wheaton park to try to break the record for simultaneous kite-flying.

While the group fell short of the goal, a new springtime tradition was born.

The second annual Go Fly a Kite will pick up on Saturday morning where last April's event left off - with hundreds of kite-toting participants praying for a strong breeze at Graf Park off Manchester Road.

"Hopefully, we'll get a windy day," said Cathy Hetrick of the Wheaton Park District. "A nice, sunny, windy day would be awesome."

Hetrick, the park district's marketing and special events coordinator, served on the commission that organized the first Go Fly a Kite event last year as part of Wheaton's sesquicentennial celebration.

"I think it was one of the best things that came out of the whole sesquicentennial effort," said Mike Benard, Wheaton's park director. "It sticks in my mind as the event I enjoyed the most. My kids had a blast."

Benard, who also served on the Wheaton Sesquicentennial Commission, said he was pleasantly surprised to see Graf Park, which covers more than 23 acres, filled with people.

The crowd was chasing the world record for most kites flying in a single location, which, at the time, was 967. But only 800 kites managed to get airborne simultaneously for the required 30 seconds straight.

"The poor turnout by the wind had a lot of kites on the ground," Benard said.

It's unlikely Saturday's free event will involve another record-breaking attempt. The existing record of 3,710 kites flying at once was set in July by children in the Gaza Strip, according to the Guinness World Records Web site.

"We certainly are in no position to try to crack the new world record," said Benard, adding that the focus of the Wheaton event is to have fun.

"Even if we only put 400 kites in the air, it's not a big deal," he said. "Everybody is still going to have a good time."

To make things more interesting this year, the park district has added more vendors, a concession stand and kite-flying activities. The Chicago Fire Kite Team is going to perform a demonstration.

"The demonstration and games of the Chicago Fire Kite Team, I think, will be the biggest draw," said Margie Wilhelmi, the park district's marketing and fund development manager.

The demonstration is scheduled for 11 a.m., followed by kite games at 11:30 a.m.

But first, organizers still want to see how many kites can get into the air this year. The "grand launch" is set for 10 a.m. Anyone wishing to particpate should download the registration form at wheatonparkdistrict.com, flll out the one-page sheet and bring it with them to the event. Check-in starts at 9 a.m.

Hetrick said the plan is to start counting kites in the sky about five to 10 minutes after the launch. "We'll try to keep as many kites up in the air as we can and go from there," she said.

While people are welcome to bring their own kites, about 500 commemorative kites are available for purchase for $5 each at the Blanchard Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard Road, and the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St.

If you goWhat: Go Fly a KiteWhen: 9 a.m. Saturday, April 17Where: Graf Park along Manchester Road near the DuPage County Fairgrounds in WheatonCost: FreeInfo: (630) 510-4986 or wheatonparkdistrict.comFalse20001383Kites of all shapes and sizes are expected to fill the sky above Graf Park in Wheaton during Saturday's massive kite fly organized by the Wheaton Park District.Daily Herald file photoFalse