Fun Takes Flight

Thu August 25, 2022

DeKalb, IL- The DeKalb Kite Fest has long been a free, fall tradition within the DeKalb community and the Park District is excited to be hosting the event in its 17th year on Sunday, September 11, from 11:00 am – 3:30 pm. Formerly hosted by the DeKalb County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau on NIU campus grounds, the DeKalb Kite Fest now flies high for the third year at the DeKalb Kiwanis Park, located at Fairview Drive and South 4th Street.  

Visitors will enjoy Kite Fest traditions such as giant inflatable kites and dancing kites high up in the sky, plus some fun, seasonal on-site activities. NIU S.T.E.A.M. will have a paper airplane obstacle course and educational information about the forces of flight. All activities, including a DeKalb Park District kite-themed craft, will take place near the Kiwanis Park Shelter, with adjacent free parking at Kiwanis and the Sports and Recreation Center, located at 1765 South 4th Street. 

“This event is truly magical!” stated Recreation Supervisor, Chrissy Tluczek. “Watching all the amazing, colorful kites and talented kite pilots- it really makes for a special day in the park.” 

Featured professional kite flyers will include Al Sparling, Darryl Waters, Anthony Catalano, Team Sky FX, and Team Chicago Kite. Participants can either bring their own kite or buy one at the event! Volunteers will be on-site to demonstrate safe kite assembly and flying. Manja string or any other type of glass-covered string is prohibited. 

Families and individuals are encouraged to grab their picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and secure their spot early to experience all the magic. The popular Candy Drop activity will take place once again, where delicious candy, generously donated by Ferrara Candy Company, will be hoisted high in the sky and rain down for children to make a mad dash for all the morsels that fall. The Candy Drop is weather/wind condition pending, so the time is TBD. 

No festival would be complete without food vendors! From hot dogs to colorful clouds of spun sugar, we are excited about our lineup of food vendors. Big D’s, The Cream King, Sweet Butts Cotton Candy, and Kona Ice will all be on-site selling their goods for a small fee.  

Interested in volunteering at Kite Fest or being a vendor? Please fill out a Volunteer Interest Form at dekalbparkdistrict.com/volunteer-opportunities or call (815) 758-6663. To inquire about becoming a vendor, contact Chrissy Tluczek at ctluczek@dekalbparkdistrict.com or call (815) 756-8560 ext. 7263.

And thank you to our DeKalb Kite Fest sponsors for their support: Leeward Renewable Energy, Comfort Inn & Suites, Meta, BioLife Plasma Services, and Mortenson Construction. To learn more, please visit dekalbparkdistrict.com or call (815) 758-7756.