Kite flying event aimed at families

COLUMBIA — Columbia Parks & Recreation hopes that kites will fill the sky at its kite flying day Saturday at Douglass Park.

“It’s a family activity,” said Cameron Cross, a recreation supervisor and the event’s organizer. “It’s an opportunity for mom or dad to get out with the kids. That’s something I feel like doesn’t take place anymore, kite-flying, and it’s a somewhat active activity.”

Cross said the kite-building also gives families a chance to bond.

“It’s something they can put together and get up in the air together,” he said.

The event will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Douglass Park Ball Field. Cross said people can show up anytime during that frame to participate.

This is the fourth time Cross has organized the event, and he said it was already well-established when he took it over.

Toward the end of the event, “within the last 15 minutes or so,” there will be prizes awarded to the owners of the largest kite that makes it off the ground, the smallest kite that makes it off the ground and the highest flying kite, Cross said.

“The prizes will more than likely be some other types of kites – fancy kites,” Cross said.

The department also purchased 50 or 60 kites to give to children who don’t have kites, Cross said.