The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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January 1, 2010

2010 Kites Over Enid in planning stage

By Bridget Nash Staff Writer

Last September’s Kites Over Enid event may not have set a new world record, but it still was a success and will return this year.

The event raised $25,000 for Habitat for Humanity, created awareness concerning wind energy and offered a fun-filled day for thousands of area residents.

It is hoped 2010’s Kites Over Enid will be bigger and better, said Stan Hicks, Habitat for Humanity board of directors member.

“We came up with the idea way too late last year and we really had to hustle,” said Hicks.

To avoid making the same mistake, all of those involved have been brainstorming and preparing for this year’s Kites Over Enid.

One of the additions to the event will be contests with very special prizes.

Six kites, priced at ap-proximately $400 each, have been purchased for the event, said Hicks.

“These will be used as prizes for several contests we’ll be having,” said Hicks.

The contests will include kite design and poster design and the prize kites are no ordinary kites.

The prize kites are radio-controlled and perfectly de-signed not only to fly but to fly lightly through the breeze.

“Sixteen point eight ounces is the total weight with the battery,” said Hicks referring to one of the six kites. “You have a radio to sit beside you and then you have a little hand-held (control).”

The flyers of these special kites don’t have to wait for a windy day to enjoy the kites.

“They need absolutely no wind to fly,” said Hicks. “It’s a flying machine.”

Hicks said the radio controlled kites, designed by Premier RC, are not widely used yet.

“These are brand new, patent pending,” said Hicks.

The first Cessna planes were made in Enid, said Hicks, and maybe these special kites could gain fame here in much the same way.

It is hoped 2010’s Kites Over Enid will coincide once again with the wind energy forum hosted by Enid Re-gional Developmental Alli-ance.

Aside from add-ing contests to the event, other attractions may be added to the day’s schedule including a visit from Troy Gunn, a skilled kite-flyer from Wichita Falls.

“This year we’ll have Troy back and we’ll feature him and people will be amazed,” said Hicks.

Last year’s Kites Over Enid was an attempt to break the world record of the most kites flown in one place at one time. This year’s event may not set out to break any records but still will have a purpose.

“The purpose is really threefold,” said Hicks.

First, the event is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. Second, it helps raise wind energy awareness. Finally, it is a bright spot in the day of many participants.

“It was just incredible to see the smiles on 4,000 faces,” said Hicks. “I’m excited about this.”

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