Brilliant colors fill the sky above Beech Mountain’s town meadow as the 15th annual Mile High Kite Festival takes flight Labor Day weekend. The festival runs Saturday, Sept. 2, and Sunday, Sept. 3.
The family-friendly event encourages people of all ages to enjoy the simple pleasure of flying a kite. Beech Mountain’s elevation of more than 5,000 feet makes it easy for kites to climb more than a mile above sea level.
Saturday is a laid-back, unhurried affair with an open field for kite flying. On Sunday afternoon, everyone is again invited to fly kites on the field, where they will be joined two kite clubs — the Richmond Air Force club and Charlotte’s Wings Across Carolina Kiting and Okra Society. Both clubs will present kite-flying demonstrations.
“The festival is a way to bring in all types of people from all over for a fun weekend,” says Lauren Mills of the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event. “It’s a wonderful time to be on the mountain. You can’t ask for better weather or nicer people to be around.”
Don’t have a kite? Fret not. Kites are for sale all weekend and the first 150 children each day receive free kites. The free kites are ideal for personalizing and decorating. Multiple prizes will be awarded for the most original kites, kites flown the highest and best-decorated kites.
The festival also includes children’s activities, such as rides, bounce houses and face painting, as well as a variety of food and craft vendors.
On Saturday night, an all-ages street dance takes place in the Visitors Center parking lot across from the kite field. The free dance runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Throughout the weekend, Beech Mountain Resort offers scenic chairlift rides. At the mountain’s summit, visitors enjoy panoramic views, hiking trails and a refreshment from the 5506’ Skybar.
Hours for the Mile High Kite Festival are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the festival is free. There is a $5 fee for parking.
To plan your Labor Day weekend getaway to Beech Mountain, visit www.BeechMtn.com or call (800) 468-5506.
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