What do you get if you cross a windsock kite with a hefty dose of psychedelic tunes straight out of the Woodstock festival of 1969?
The answer: Windstock, the theme of this year’s Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival, which will fill the skies above the D River Wayside this weekend.
Professional kite fliers will demonstrate their latest stunts to tunes from the 1960s against a backdrop of big show kites of all shapes and colors.
“Since the theme of the festival this year is Windstock, we will be displaying our collection of windsocks as well as some of our favorite show kites,” said featured flier Rod Thrall. “We have two 40-foot teddy bears that will come out to play, and some 18-foot ice cream cones and 12-foot Crayons.”
Rod and his wife, Cindy, will display their colorful big show kites all weekend for the festival, and encourage visitors to interact with the fliers.
“There is nothing more enjoyable than having someone walk up and tell you how much they enjoy your kites,” he said. “For Cindy and I, it’s all about spreading our passion for kite flying to people.”
Thrall wants all spectators to have fun at the festival, but also be safe.
“The flying field has boundaries for a reason,” he said. “The boundaries are up for safety. If you have a question or just want to meet us, we can escort you onto the field. You never know…we might just put a kite line in your hands.”
The festival takes place in the heart of Lincoln City at the D River Wayside State Park, with many spectators bringing folding chairs to line the wayside while others set up on the beach itself for a day of fun on the sands.
Activities include kids kite making, kite demonstrations and the Running of the Bols, which is a footrace across the beach with each participant harnessed to parachute kites.
On both days, kids of all ages can learn how to make their own paper kite and afterwards show off their colorful creations in the kids’ parade.
All kids attending the festival will receive a free passport that entitles them to great prizes when filled with autographs from featured fliers.
Prizes will also be up for grabs in an all-day raffle, with tickets a dollar apiece or six for $5. Prizes will include Lincoln City’s signature glass floats, gift certificates, kites and more. And guests can score a free raffle ticket by bringing a bag of beach trash to the Event Tent.
The festival runs from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26.
For more information, call 800-452-2151 or go to www.oregoncoast.org.
