County revamps annual Kite Day

Mark Pinney displays some of the kites that will be available this year on Kite Day in April. Page Dowdy/Chesterfield Observer It’s not often that hundreds of kites fly together. In Chesterfield that usually only happens once a year – on Kite Day.

The Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation will host the annual family event this year at the Clover Hill Athletic Complex from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. This year, in addition to at least 600 free kites, entertainment will include a moon bounce, disc jockey, clowns, food vendors and self-defense demonstration.

“It’s a great event…it’s a free event,” said Dave Caras, community recreation manager. “We offer an opportunity for families to come out on a nice spring day after the cold winter. In the past some people bring a picnic and just relax. This year there’s a whole new twist.”

A new collaboration with local nonprofit Athletes in Motion USA provided the county the resources to substantially expand the event compared to previous years.

Principal Recreation Specialist Mark Pinney, who organized Kite Day for the past five years, said he had been looking for ways to improve the event, and the extra funding from AIM is what made the difference. He used the financial support to address two shortfalls of past Kite Days. Previously kites were first-come, first-serve, and kite flying was the lone activity at the event, so the county often ran out of free kites. Pinney bought 600 kites this year – almost three times as many as before – and expects about 1,500 people will take advantage of the opportunity.

“More kites for more kids,” Caras said.

More kids with more kites will make the day more colorful, especially because this year’s kites feature cartoon characters, including Toy Story, Spiderman, the Disney princesses, Barbie and Bakugan.

“I’m excited to see all the different colors and styles,” Pinney said. “I’d like to see all the different kites up at the same time.”

Having 600 kites in the air at once may sound crowded, but there’s plenty of space at the athletic complex – at least two full fields – which will also ensure there’s enough space for other activities. Pinney said he is excited to have new activities for families who lose their kite or don’t want to fly it for all three hours.

“In the past, people have pretty much flown [the kites] until they break or end up in the tree,” Pinney said. “Now they have an option if their kite ends up in a tree.”

One of those options is a self-defense demonstration from students in AIM’s Safety Awareness and Self Defense program. Besides financial support for the event, this is another way AIM is helping to co-sponsor the event, said Jim Johnson, owner and director of AIM.

“We’re doing all the cool stuff kids like to see on TV, like breaking boards…ninja stuff,” Johnson said about the demonstrations. AIM staff will also help out at the event, working with parks and rec staff to make sure the day goes off without a hitch.

The only major element they can’t control is the weather. Parks and rec moved the event from March to April this year, hoping the weather will be warmer and drier. As of right now there is not a scheduled rain date.

With his fingers crossed that the weather will be windy and warm, Pinney guaranteed a good time.

“If you know you’re going to come, register, then come. It’s free,” he said. “If you come, you’ll have a good time, I promise.”

Registration is currently open. Contact Mark Pinney at pinneym@chesterfield.gov or 748-1992. Everyone registered is guaranteed a kite.