Kites take flight at Naperville festival

Kites fashioned to look like flying squid, space aliens and beloved cartoon characters will take to the skies, weather permitting, when the 13th annual Frontier Kite Fly takes off Sunday, June 2, in south Naperville.

Professional kite fliers will demonstrate how to launch, steer and control their fanciful creations as they ride the wind currents, said Beth Durso, program manager with the Naperville Park District.

"The professional kite fliers will have huge kites people can sit and watch," Durso said. "The professionals also will have a tent and sell them there."

Visitors are welcome to purchase kites at the festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or bring their own to fly in a section of Frontier Park separate from the area where the professionals will exhibit their expertise at 3380 Cedar Glade Drive.

The park district's spring tradition will be presented for the first time in conjunction with KidsMatter, a nonprofit organization that focuses on the overall social, emotional, and academic well-being of 45,000 kids in both DuPage and Will counties.

"We used to do a skater's picnic. We're now merging that with the park district event," said Dusty Holoubek, KidsMatter director of marketing.

There will be skate park demonstrations and open skating at Frontier Skate Park, she said.

And there will be numerous bounce houses, one of which will feature an obstacle course that will pit teams of kids combined with representatives of Naperville police and fire departments against each other in pursuit of the KidsMatter Cup trophy, Holoubek said.

Durso said there will be live music, giveaways, children's crafts and food trucks at the festival.

Admission is free; there is a charge for the inflatables.

The fest is weather dependent, of course, but usually attracts several thousand people.

If Sunday's weather isn't favorable, Durso said the park district will announce a cancellation via the rainout link on its website.