Giant kites coming to Clifford for new community event

CLIFFORD –  People can expect to see giant kites flooding the skies on May 30 as Clifford Connects works to bring a new event to the area.

The free event, branded Kites in Clifford, is a partnership  between the community-led committee Clifford Connects and the Minto and District Lions Club. 

Kites in Clifford was inspired by the annual Kites in the Field event in Lucknow, which takes place the last weekend in September.

The committee connected with the Lucknow event organizers and both parties agreed to bring the kites to Clifford.

Minto marketing and economic development coordinator Erin Raftis told the Community News the committee hopes it will be an “exciting community activity” that will attract people. 

Kites in the Field has “these very large kites and it’s a group of kite enthusiasts who buy these very expensive unique kites,” Raftis said.

The kites will be flown over Clifford Rotary Park (3 Brown St. S., on the soccer field).

“That’s the core part of the event and then Clifford Connects and the Lions are going to add on family friendly activities,” Raftis said.

Although the committee is still in the early planning stages, Raftis noted some features including:

• a makers market with vendors and artists;
• kite making craft for children;
• food trucks; and
• music. 

The event will run from 10am to 3pm.

“If we’re lucky there might also be some night kites flying as well, but that’s all weather dependent,” Raftis said. “It’s mostly a surprise if it happens.”

Asked if the public can fly their own kites, she said, “The idea is people can bring their own kites and fly them in the park in a separate area.”

Kites in the Field organizers

Murray and his wife Elizabeth Irvin have been flying kites for 14 years and will be putting on their 12th Kites in the Field event this September.

The kites “can range anywhere from 40 square feet to 300 square feet,” Murray told the Community News.

The varying sizes also come with a hefty price gap of $60 to $5,000.

“My dearest kite that I have is a tiger that has LED [lights] and that was about $800,” Murray said.

He hopes the weather cooperates so the kites can fly at night.

“We’ll put a show on they’ll never forget,” he said.

Murray’s interest in kites was piqued after seeing a man flying a kite on the harbour of Point Clark.

The two got to talking and six months later Murray flew kites with the man for the first time. 

He and his wife “have enjoyed kiting significantly and it has made us venture across Canada,” Murray said referring to various kite shows.

The Irvins have also travelled to the Caribbean and Mexico, packing their kites in a suitcase to show others.

“People don’t have to have all this big stuff to enjoy kiting,” Murray said noting his collection is filled with smaller, more affordable kites. 

More details will be released closer to the event date at cliffordconnects.ca and on Facebook @cliffordconnects.