The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Local news

Related Photos

  • These kites were part of the 2009 Kites Over Enid world record attempt. (Staff File Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)

    Big_Kites_KOE_BV.jpg

Discussion

September 21, 2010

Giant parafoils to be part of city’s attempt to break ‘most flown’ record

By Joe Malan, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — Barry Ogletree has some pretty big kites.

Some kites, called large parafoils, are up to 500 square feet.

Others, such as the “octopus-style” Batman, Robin, Joker and Penguin kites Ogletree will be bringing Saturday to Kites Over Enid, are about 150 feet long.

“We have some of the largest kites in the world,” Ogletree said.

Ogletree, owner of WhataKite in Lufkin, Texas, will be bringing these gigantic kites and more to Enid as part of the city’s attempt to break a Guinness World Record for most kites flown simultaneously.

Ogletree said he’s excited to once again attend Kites Over Enid, as he was here last September for the first record attempt.

“It seems like a lot of fun,” Ogletree said. “That’s one of the reasons we decided to come.”

Ogletree said WhataKite attends a lot of events in small- to medium-sized cities that are designed to keep money inside the town.

The company also is a big supporter of charity work.

“Whoever can show us they’re a legitimate charity, we get on board with them, and we will go at our own expense,” he said.

Kites Over Enid 2010 is raising money for Habitat for Humanity and Enid SPCA.

So far this year, WhataKite has attended events in LaMarque, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; and Waco, Texas, among others. Ogletree said the company also has gone to events in Mexico, South America and Canada.

In addition to the large display kites Ogletree plans on bringing, the company also will provide huge kites for a candy drop, where kites filled with candy and toys will be positioned over event fields, and the kites will open, dropping the treats to waiting kids below.

Mike Reedy, owner of Big Mike’s Kites of Celina, Texas, also will be coming to Kites Over Enid this year.

“We focus on power kites and large parafoil kites,” Reedy said.

The kites Reedy sells can be used to propel vehicles, including those over water.

Reedy said he is hoping to sell some of his kites as well as participate in the attempt to set a world record.

“I think (the record attempt) is going to be kind of cool,” he said. “I’m going to throw my kids out there to be part of it. Hopefully, it’ll be something they’ll remember for a long time.”

A third organization scheduled to appear at Kites Over Enid is the TKO Sport Kite Team.

The stunt kite team, which is based out of Wichita Falls, Texas, has performed at events all over the world, according to its website.

TKO has performed in Taiwan, Australia, India, Malaysia, China and Jamaica, to name a few.

According to TKO’s website, the team flies sport kites in various formations, while choreographed to music.

Troy Gunn, leader of the TKO Sport Kite Team, did not return calls Tuesday.

For information on kite demonstrators for the event, go to www.kitesoverenid.com.

Text Only
Local news