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  • Cati Harris demonstrates how to fly a kite during First Friday festivities on the Garfield County Court House lawn. The 2nd annual event will be September 25 at Autry Technology Center, said Vickie Grantz, Kites Over Enid media coordinator. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)

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September 5, 2010

Kites Over Enid aims to break record during event at Autry Tech

By Joe Malan, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — Ready to fly a kite?

The Kites Over Enid committee hopes more than 10,000 people will be come Sept. 25.

“Everything I hear from everybody is very positive,” said Vickie Grantz, Kites Over Enid spokeswoman and volunteer coordinator. “Lots of people are excited about being a part of making history.”

History indeed will be made if Enid can get more than 4,000 kites in the air during Enid’s second Kites Over Enid event, which will be Sept. 25.

Last year, Enid set an unofficial North American record when more than 2,600 kites took to the air Sept. 10, 2009, behind Autry Technology Center.

The event will once again take place behind Autry Tech, but the flying field will be greatly expanded.

Parking also will be more widespread in anticipation of the 7,000 more people expected at this year’s event.

Also this year, the Kites Over Enid committee will be using a new type of kite Grantz said is very easy to fly.

“These things literally pop up into the air within 2 or 3 feet of the string being out,” she said.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. behind Autry Tech. It will cost $3 per person or $10 per family.

Grantz said other activities will begin 9:30 to 10 a.m.

The Guinness World Record attempt will occur at about 1 or 1:30 p.m.

New activities and events this year include a stunt kite team, a fly-over by Vance Air Force Base airplanes, concessions provided by Rib Crib, and even kites filled with candy and prizes.

On Sept. 24, the day before the Guinness World Record attempt, there will be a Wind Forum hosted by Enid Regional Development Alliance.

The forum will be 1-5 p.m. at Autry Tech.

Kisling said last Thursday the keynote speaker for the Wind Forum will be Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce Natalie Shirley.

Other speakers will include Mario Hurtado of Clean Line Energy Partners in Houston and speakers from TradeWind Energy and RES Americas, companies which currently are leasing land in Garfield County where wind turbines might someday be built.

Kisling said the forum’s theme is “Wind: What’s in it for me?” and will take a more local approach than last year.

Registration for the Wind Forum is free. RSVP with Lisa Powell at 233-4232 or powell@growenid.com.

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