Let an Oregon Kite bring out the Kid in You!

America's senic wild rivers coast will once again be ablaze with the color of kites labor day weekend as the Rogue Valley Windchasers and Elk Valley Casino host the 3rd annual Crescent City Kite Festival on South Beach in Crescent City, California. Located just minutes from the Redwood forest along US Highway 101 at the northernmost tip of California's coastline, South Beach is the favorite kiteflying location for many Northern Californian and Southern Oregon kitefliers as well as the home of Northern California's longboard surfing championship.

Saturday August 30th starts off the festivities with a full day of kite flying activities for the whole family as large inflatable kites cover the beach with areas set aside for demonstration kite flying by the likes of such northwest kiting notables as Penny Lingenfelter, Al Washington, Carl Bragiel, John Barresi, Moon Kushner, Larry Clark, Doug & Linda Larock, Bob Serrack, J.D. Fabich and Gary MacEachern. Throughout the festival a free kids kitemaking workshop will be held and everyone new to kiting is invited to take free kiteflying lessions from festival participants. All viewers are also welcome to enter the free kite raffle.

Rod and Cindy Thrall known for being a kite festival unto themselves will be displaying their hugh inflatable teddy bear kite as well as many other treats to decorate the sky. Ed Jensen will display his rainbow arch which has 6 arch sets each over 400 feet in length, as well as crowns and other wind toys. Music will fill the air as Steve O'Brian of Eugene Oregon spins the discs and announces events.

Banners of all kinds line the beach adding to the festive atmosphere. Vendors at the festival as well as resturants within short walking distance provide cullinary delights. You wont want to miss the dinner Saturday night hosted by Elk Valley Casino at 7:00 followed by a fun filled auction of kites and wind toys. The public is invited to attend, tickets are on sale at the door giving everyone a chance to dine and mingle with the kite fliers.

If you're headed down the coast Labor Day weekend you won't want to miss making Crescent City your stopover, plenty of local camping with or without hookups, wonderful vistas and great kiteflying fun make South Beach the place to be. P.S. Don't forget your camera!