Kansas wind helps kites dance at Wichita event

The Kansas wind on Sunday was perfect for flying kites.

Dozens of kites and many more dozens of people showed up at Chapin Park in south Wichita on Sunday for a city-sponsored “Come Fly a Kite” event. A similar event in May brought out 150 to 200 kites.

Both events were free.

“It is a non-expensive way to have family time,” said Wichitan Shasta Lockwood.

Six months ago, Lockwood had been in a local Wal-Mart and saw some kites on the discount aisle. She had so much fun with one, she said, she looked up “kite stores” and “Wichita” on Google.

Soon she was introduced to Wings of the Wind Kites and Toys and has since bought five kites. The most expensive kite the family owns, she said, is a $40 box kite.

Her go-to kite store is owned by Mark and Susan Adams at 550 N. Rock Road, she said.

“We shop at the store because we just like to support local businesses,” Lockwood said.

On Sunday, Lockwood’s 10-year-old niece Lainey Sultz was flying an octopus.

The flying kites were visible from nearby streets and highways.

“I like to make it do this,” Lainey said as she pulled on the kite’s string and made it dance in the wind.

The 15- to 18-mph winds on Sunday were ideal for the kite event. October is one of the best months to fly a kite, said kite-store owner Mark Adams, who had a booth at the park and was consulting with participants on how best to fly their kites.

“My wife and I help put on a lot of kite festivals,” said Adams. “The popularity is really catching on. Each kite is a self-advertisement. People see them and want to buy nice kites; some get them at garage sales. And a lot of people will bring in kites they have had for years and years, and we help get them fixed and back out flying.

“We think they are an advertisement for peace and fun.”

The Wichita Park and Recreation department sponsored Sunday’s event.

This story was originally published October 11, 2015 at 9:08 PM with the headline "Kansas wind helps kites dance at Wichita event."