Algonquin hosting inaugural Kite Festival in Spella Park

Residents can fly their own kites or see stunt kite flying and other giant kite displays at Algonquin’s first Kite Festival on Saturday.

The festival, set from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ted Spella Community Park, is being organized by the Algonquin Recreation department, Algonquin Area Public Library and Chicago Kite.

People can bring their own kite to fly or buy one from Chicago Kite. There will be music in addition to food and drinks available to buy from Toasty Cheese Mobile Eatery, Papa John’s Pizza and Kona Ice.

Kyuki-Do Martial Arts, Primrose School and Smile Doctors are sponsoring the festival.

The first 200 kids will receive a free kite to decorate and fly.

Chicago Kite also plans to set up a booth and sell kites, Recreation Superintendent Katie Gock said.

The event’s Facebook page has about 2,000 people marked as “interested” in the event, which Gock said she was not expecting, especially with it being the festival’s first year.

She’s hoping at least 200 show up.

“Kite flying’s kind of a recreation of the past,” Gock said. “You don’t see too many people doing that. It’s kind of fun to see that coming back a bit.”

Organizers already are trying to get the festival on the schedule for next year.

In the event of inclement weather, the festival will be canceled, Gock said.

A makeup date has yet to be established.