CBS Sunday Morning crews plan to be at Color The Wind

A CBS producer, film crew and an on-air personality from CBS Sunday Morning plan to attend Clear Lake’s Color The Wind Festival Saturday, Feb. 17.

Festival organizers Kay and Larry Day confirmed the national coverage, which was scheduled in 2017, but was cancelled when poor ice conditions caused the festival to be called off.  At the time, CBS noted they would hopefully attend in 2018.

Larry Day says the event has grown far beyond his expectations when he first started it in 2001.

Since that time Color the Wind has been featured in the magazines Midwest Living, Our Iowa, Disney’s Family Fun, Senior Advantage Living, AAA Iowa/Minnesota, and many more.  Iowa Public Television has covered the event and the story is still being shown.  The video is also available on YouTube or through the link on the Color the Wind website.

The CBS Sunday Morning story will take the event to a national audience.

The Days say the 2018 festival will feature an incredible array of colorful kites and banners on the frozen lake from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along North Lakeview Drive.

Many kites are designed and hand made by their owners. There will be favorites from past years, plus new kites like Chris Dodson’s fiery red dragon and many more.

Stunt kite teams 180GO and Fire ‘n Ice will be demonstrating their skill and precision by flying two and four-line kites in exciting programs choreographed to music.  They’ll perform their “kite dances” periodically throughout the day in front of the seawall.

“Dress warmly and stake out your vantage point early so you don’t miss anything,” said the Days.

In conjunction with the Color the Wind Kite Festival, NIACC is sponsoring a kite making workshop for up to 100 kids at the Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S. 4th St., from 9 a.m. to noon on festival day.  A flying field for smaller kites and kids’ kites is reserved at City Beach, just south of the seawall. Smaller kites can be flown without interference from the giant kites or the stunt kites.

A “kite shop” with a nice selection of kites will be located in the Lakeview Room across the street from the flying field.   The Lakeview Room also serves as a “comfort station.”  While you’re warming up or selecting a new kite, buy a home made sweet treat from the Relay for Life team.  Hot food and beverages can be purchased at the Rings and Things food truck located just in front of the Lakeview Room or investigate one of Clear Lake’s eateries.

For photos, details and updates about the kite festival go to the website: www.colorthewind.org.