ENID — There are 10,400 kites on their way to Enid as this article was being written.

The same number is how many people the Kites Over Enid planning committee hopes will participate at this year’s event.

Not only would that shatter the North American record, which was set last year in Enid, it would obliterate the world record, which is thought to have been set once again by Gaza Strip kite-fliers.

“I think there is a lot of optimism in the fact we can break the record,” said Vickie Grantz, this year’s Kites Over Enid media spokeswoman and volunteer coordinator.

Kites Over Enid once again will be held behind Autry Technology Center, as it was last year.

However, the event will be expanded significantly.

It will raise money for Enid Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals this year, as well as Enid Habitat for Humanity.

In addition to the Guinness World Record attempt, there will be a stunt kite team, kites filled with candy and prizes,  a fly-over by Vance Air Force Base airplanes and concession stands, among other things.

Kites Over Enid will be Sept. 25, and registration tentatively is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.

“Activities should begin by between 9:30 (a.m.) and 10 (a.m.),” Grantz said. “There will be vendor booths and concession areas. Kites will be on display throughout (the event).”

Registration will be $3 per person, Grantz said, or $10 per family. The price includes the cost of a kite.

To accommodate the estimated 7,000 more people Kites Over Enid is expecting to have this year, the event has expanded into fields adjacent to the green space immediately behind Autry Tech.

There will be several places for participants to park. Last year, the event was held on a school day, and children were bused in from all over the area.

This time, organizers are expecting a lot more traffic.

Grantz said there will be off-site parking at the northwest of corner of Willow and Van Buren adjacent to United Supermarket, as well as the parking lot adjacent to Sherwin-Williams on the east side of Van Buren.

The world record attempt won’t occur until about 1 or 1:30 p.m. But there will be concessions this year, and Rib Crib, one of the major sponsors of the event, will provide the food.

Participants will not be allowed to bring their own food and drink into the event.

After the world record attempt is complete, pocket kites filled with candy, toys and prizes will be flown over the field and then released, dropping the items on the participants below.

“We just want to promote (Kites Over Enid) as a time of family time,” Grantz said. “It’ll be a time to come together and enjoy some good entertainment and have some time together.”

Before the Kites Over Enid event, Enid Regional Development Alliance will host a second Wind Forum. This year it will be 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 24.

“Our theme for this year is, ‘Wind: What’s In It For Me?’” said Brent Kisling, executive director of Enid Regional Development Alliance. “The thought is to focus more on what the wind industry can do for us individually as landowners, business owners and as a community.”

Speakers will include national leaders in the industry, as well as local community representatives and landowners who already have wind turbines on their land.

Kisling said he believes Enid can hit the 10,000 mark for participants at this year’s event.

“I think with what the committee has planned this year, with the trick kite-fliers coming in from all over the world and with involvement from wind energy companies, I think we’ll have a really good turnout this year,” Kisling said.

Anyone who would like to volunteer for Kites Over Enid can call Grantz at 233-1325.

For information, go to www.kitesoverenid.com.