It’s up, up and away for huge kites at Fraser Coast Kite Karnival

It’s up, up and away for huge kites at Fraser Coast Kite Karnival

Massive kites from New Zealand in the shapes of sea creatures will be launched near Urangan Pier on August 11 setting the sky ablaze with colour at the inaugural Fraser Coast Kite Karnival.

Brendan Bowers, the event coordinator for Fraser Coast Tourism & Events, said more than 300 create-your-own kites for kids would also be given away at Pier Park from noon thanks to a recent pledge from the Regional Arts Development Fund, an initiative supported by Arts Queensland to deliver quality arts and cultural activities to the region.

He said show kites up to 25m long in the shape of manta rays, whales, octopuses and other ocean-going animals would be flown by two Kiwi professionals at the festival.

“It’ll be quite a spectacle and there will be plenty of great vantage points along the pier,” Mr Bowers said.

Lyndall Chisnall, office manager at Peter Lynn Kites, said people usually reacted with ‘wow’ when they saw the kite display.

“The look on people’s faces is priceless,” she said.

“Children young and old get pretty excited seeing our kites flying.”

Mrs Chisnall said staff members Craig and Debbie Hansen would take the kites with them on the plane up to the maximum baggage allowance of 23kg per passenger.

“The kites all go into a bag and get crushed down,” she said.

Mr Bowers said the New Zealand company was the only specialist in this part of the world supplying the type of huge kites required for the display.

He said Peter Lynn Kites had also designed the colour-in kites for children and one kite per person would be given away at Pier Park along with a voucher for a free soft drink at Bayswater Bar & Grill for use on that day only.

Mr Bowers said a colouring-in station for children would be set up at the Bayswater during the carnival.

“We’re also running a Kite Colouring Competition and have two kites to give away as prizes to two group winners for kids aged up to five years old and for someone in the six-to-12 years age group,” he said.

“Entry to the event is free and members of the public are welcome to bring along their own kites to fly on the day.”

Mr Bowers said the Urangan Pier Park Community Markets, with its food stands and market stalls, remaining open past midday on August 11 and the addition of kids’ rides would boost the festive atmosphere.

He said ahead of the carnival, from August 8-10, there would be an opportunity for community groups to create their own kite alongside local artists at the Fraser Coast Cultural Centre Creative Space.

Mr Bowers said people would be able to pop-in between 11 am and 3pm to participate in the Create Your Kite sessions and a limited number of kites and materials would be available.

For more details, email emma.bannerman@frasercoast.qld.gov.au.

The Fraser Coast Kite Karnival, which runs until 4 pm, is part of the Hervey Bay Ocean Festival, presented in partnership with USC.

The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, supports the festival which features on the It’s Live! In Queensland calendar. Your perfect next event is in Queensland where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.

The ocean festival also includes a free public lecture by a USC marine conservationist about the impact of rubbish on sea life on August 10, Coast Pop Up Sunset Pier Party on August 11, Fraser Coast Chronicle Whale Parade and Concert on August 18 and the Paddle Out for Whales in Torquay on August 19.

For more information, visit herveybayoceanfestival.com.au.

Article and photo submitted by Fraser Coast Tourism and Events

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top