Kite Fly Offers Free Family Fun

Flying a kite is one of the oldest children’s activities in the world. When the wind blows just right, watching a colorful kite soar through the air can be mesmerizing for both children and adults.

Barrington Breakfast Rotary Club is hosting its tenth annual Kite Fly event on May 14 at Citizens Park. The event is completely free, and if you don’t own a kite, the club will provide one for children free of charge.

“This is the first year that we are expanding the event to lawn games. We’ll also have music and a DJ, balloon animals, free face painting and self guided nature walks,” Barrington Breakfast Rotary Club Secretary Elizabeth McGrath said. “We’re trying to move it beyond just the kites.”

The club is also hosting a raffle this year with prizes ranging from a family beach vacation to Florida, to a children’s birthday party at Pinstripes, to Cubs tickets and massages.

"Anne Oakley is the chair this year. With her committee, this is the third year that we’ve done a raffle,” McGrath explained. “We have seven events to choose from when you buy a raffle ticket.”

Tickets cost $10 each, and can be purchased on the club's website or at the Kite Fly event. The winning tickets will be pulled around 2 p.m. on May 14.

Money raised from the raffle and food sales at the event will go to charity. This year, Barrington Breakfast Rotary partnered with Barrington Area Special Voices. “Half of the proceeds we make from the food sales and raffle ticket sales will go to Barrington Area Special Voices. The other half will go to other charitable organizations.” she said.

McGrath says Kite Fly is a great way to enjoy a spring Saturday and support local charities as well.

“There are hundreds of kites in the sky, families just poking around…it’s a wonderful community event,” she said.

The tenth annual Kite Fly will take place at Citizens Park from 12 to 3 p.m. If it rains on May 14, the event will be pushed back to May 15. For more information, visit Barrington Breakfast Rotary Club.