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It’s a Breeze to Fly Kites a Mile High Over Labor Day Weekend at Beech Mountain Town Meadow

Kite Festival 001 - CREDIT Terry Murray

Aug. 20, 2014. The 12th annual Mile High Kite Festival takes place on Sunday, Aug. 31, in the Beech Mountain Town Meadow. Located at more than 5,000 feet in elevation, the meadow makes it easy to sail kites more than a mile above sea level.

The festival includes kite-flying music and announcing provided by Terry Murray and Will Smoot of the Richmond Air Force Kite Club from Virginia. Prizes will be awarded for the biggest kite, smallest kite and best decorated kite.

Other activities include races with kids pulling parachute kites, face painting and a variety of craft and food vendors.

Don’t have a kite? Fret not. Kites will be available for sale and the first 300 kids 12 and under receive a free one.

The event is sponsored by the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Richmond Air Force kite club and the Wings Across Carolina Kiting and Okra Society from Charlotte.

There is also an all-ages street dance on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. in front of town hall. The parking lot is covered with sand and a deejay plays a variety of fun dance music.

“We like to float the idea to come up and make a weekend of it,” said event organizer Calder Smoot. “In addition to the street dance and kite festival, scenic chairlift rides are available all weekend and folks can enjoy a concert on the lawn on Sunday evening following the festival.”

The meadow is divided into two areas: one for exhibitions/demonstrations from the kite clubs and one for the general public.

For festival info or lodging specials, call 800-468-5506 or visit www.BeechMtn.com.