All eyes to the sky

Colorful kites brighten winter season

by Michelle Watson

The sky over Clear Lake on Saturday was full of pigs, tropical fish, dragons, cats and horses, and that’s just to name the animals that were flying high in the clear blue sky.  Saturday marked the 19th annual Color The Wind Kite Festival.

It was a perfect day for the Festival with just enough wind, plenty of sunshine and thousands of people that flooded the ice to view the spectacular display of kites.  Larry and Kay Day, organizers of the event, said this year was the best turn-out they’ve ever seen with the crowd estimated at over 12,000.  Kay credits the coverage the kite festival received in 2018 when a segment on the event was broadcast on CBS Sunday Morning. Iowa Public Television also does a good job promoting the event.

“We were truly blessed this year with not one problem,” said Kay.  “We didn’t expect to see the sun, but it came out.  The kites look best against the blue sky.”

“There are tons of things that go on in the summer in Clear Lake, but it’s so nice to be able to get out in the winter and enjoy the weather and this fun event,” said Joni Erwin, of Clear Lake.

Emily Ellerman, from Dallas Center, was in Clear Lake to enjoy her first Color the Wind event.  “Clear Lake is such a cute town, I just love it here and it’s so neat being out on the ice.”

Melanie Olson, from Forest City, said she would definitely be back next year.

The spectators were not the only ones that were enjoying the event.  There were 40-50 kite flyers that not only look forward to displaying their beautiful kites, but also the camaraderie they have with other flyers.   

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Betty Murphy and her husband, Don, who are from Omaha, Neb.,  have been coming to Clear Lake for 15 years.  Their kite was the large caterpillar that drew a big crowd of children.

“I inherited the hobby when I married my husband,” said Betty.  “Who knew I’d be freezing and flying a kite when I got married.  But honestly, I love this event.  Larry and Kay are great hosts and the event is run so well.  We also have a lot of fun with our kite flying friends.”

Barb and Alex Meyer, from Minneapolis, Minn., who fly the large, colorful dragon, have attended every Color The Wind Kite Festival.

“We attend about 12 events through the year, but this is the only one we do in the winter,” said Barb.  “Good people, good food and a great crowd.  Who could ask for more?”

In addition to the large kites, there were also many smaller kites that were being flown by the general public.

Everyone in attendance had a favorite, or in many cases, multiple favorites.

Sam Scarrow, age nine, of Story City, really liked the colorful dragon.  “I like how it moved and whipped its tail around, just like a real dragon.  I also liked the astronaut and the horses that looked like they were running.”

“My favorite was the flying pig,” said Christine Frederick, of Austin, Minn.  “My husband works for Hormel, so of course the pig was my favorite.”

Larry, who is 75, and Kay, who is 79, are uncertain what the future of the event will be.

“We are both getting up there in years,” said Kay.  “We would like to mentor someone to take over the festival.  We should have been doing a succession plan years ago.  We don’t want to give it up or see it end, because it is such a great event for the community.”

Kay also credits the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce for all their help in the event.

“Saturday was such a fantastic day,” said Kay.  “I was in the Lakeview Room watching all the people and the kites and the tears began to flow.  I told the ladies in the room that I would store this moment in my memory bank forever.”

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