Otaki Kite Festival – March 9

MEDIA RELEASE
From the Otaki Village Promotions Group

Monday February 18, 2013

Local schools have the wind beneath their wings as they prepare for Otaki's inaugural kite festival from 10am-4pm on Saturday, March 9.

Organiser Yvonne de Mille says Otaki Beach will be filled with kites on the day (rain day on the Sunday), including kites made by local school children, plus huge show kites from around the country. Adults and children are also welcome to bring their own kites or buy one at the venue.

One of the world's leading kite-makers, Peter Lynd Kites of Ashburton, and other kite-makers will be bringing their flyers to the beach to create a festive atmosphere.

"Some of the show kites are so big they need to be tied down to a heavy vehicle," Yvonne says. "It will be a day of wonder for everyone who comes down. Otaki Beach is a fantastic venue, with a wide sandy shoreline, good winds and plenty of vantage points for people to watch the experts and the kids."

There will be stalls at the venue – which will centre around the Otaki Surf Life Saving Club – competitions for the best kite made from newspaper, the best kite made from recycled materials, the kite most unlikely to fly but does, and people's choice.

Te Horo School teacher Yemma Barsanti says the children at her school are excited about flying their creations at the beach. She admits to not having much success with kite building or flying before Yvonne's school workshops.

"It was such an awesome sensation to see and feel the kite soaring into the sky," Yemma says. "This was a first for me. I have never had the experience of getting a kite so high in the sky. I felt exhilerated and so excited, and just amazed at the sheer power of the kite and the wind."

ENDS

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