The 8th Annual Kites Over Lake Michigan continues to grow in size and reputation. This is now one of the largest kite festivals in the Midwest and attracts kitefliers from all over. Come and marvel at the giant show kites, precision stunt kite teams flying dual- and quad-line kites, spectacular and colorful ground displays, running of the bols, and games for kids. Learn how to fly two and quad line stunt kites from the experts. There will be a night fly on Saturday night and a bonfire on the beach. Once again there will be the Fireworks Show after the release of Sky Lanterns on the beach. Back by popular demand for the second time is the Tesla Coils demonstration on Saturday night. We are looking for a record breaking number of Sky Lanterns being released this year. UFO will make them available for sale on the beach and the public will be invited to join in the mass ascension. On Sunday, there will be free kite making for kids and another day of kite flying and performances. Free shuttle service available to and from the beach at designated downtown areas.
Please note that there is not a specific schedule of the various activities for the kite festival, save for kids kite making on Sunday Sept. 1st, from 9am to 11am, because everything is dependent on the wind conditions at that time. We operate on what we call "kite time" and all activities are based on that. For example if the wind is light, the stunts teams can still fly with their low wind kites but the giant show kites will likely be grounded until the wind picks up. Activities like running of the bols and glider drops will occur regardless of the wind condition.
We are very pleased to inform everyone that the 17th Street bridge eplacement will be completed by the time the event comes around. This will provide another access to the beach. There will be signs along the way.
For those who do not want to deal with traffic and parking, there is a shuttle service looping every 15 to 20 minutes at these 5 designated parking areas:-
-Paczkowski lot on 16th St. and Adams
-Vets Park behind The Metal Ware Corp.
-TR Senior Center
-City Hall
-Walsh Field
All lots are marked with A-Frame boards. Hours are 1pm to 5pm both days and a special 7pm to 10pm run for the Saturday night activities.
Although we have many lodging places and campgrounds as sponsors, our main hotel sponsor is the Holiday Inn, Manitowoc. We encourage those needing rooms to contact them at (920) 682-6000 and stay there. They have a special kite festival rate of $85 per night (regularly at $140 per night). Without the Holiday Inn's support in helping out with rooms for our numerous kitefliers, we would not be able to do this.
Date: Aug. 31st and Sept. 1st, 2013
Place: Neshotah Beach, Two Rivers
Aug. 31st: Kite flying events from 11.00am to 4.00pm.
Night fly, Sky Lanterns release, Fireworks Show and bonfire on the beach will be at night.
Sept. 1st: Free kids kite making from 9.00am to 11.00am.
Kite flying events from 11.00am to 4.00pm.
Image provided by Jeff Dawson of the Lester Public Library.
