The sky over Sewerby Fields, in Bridlington, is set to be awash with colourful kites as part of a two-day festival, hosted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Bridlington Tourism Association (BTA) and the Northern Kite Group.
The event, subject to reasonable wind and weather conditions, will take place on Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 May and will see a number of internationally-renowned experts put on a display to entertain local residents and visitors to the resort.
Last year was a great success, with an estimated 15,000 visitors across the weekend coming to see professional kite demonstrations.
Due to the success of last year, for 2017, the festival is expanding with 15 local food stalls selling a range of food and drinks. Creating a picnic element for families wanting something to eat while they watch the kites overhead. The event will run from 10am-5pm on the Saturday and Sunday and is free to enter.
Displays will include some of the world’s largest inflatable kites flown by professional flyers, teams of two and four line kite flyers performing sequences to music and a chance for members of the public, particularly children, to have a go at flying some of the kites (loaned and supervised in the arena).
Children will also be encouraged to bring their favourite soft toy for a parachute jump. The teddy will be given a parachute and hoisted up a rig and float gently down from a great height. The owner of each bear will be presented with a certificate to reward them for their bravery.
Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economic investment and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The council, through EY Events, aims to put on a number of major events across the East Riding each year to help boost the local economy.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Northern Kite Group and the Bridlington Tourism Association to bring this exciting event back to the town for a second year and hope that both residents and visitors come along and see some of the best kite displays in the world.”
The Northern Kite Group, formed in 1978, has members throughout the country and attends many events in both the UK and abroad.
Dave Bleasdale, secretary of the Northern Kite Group said:
“After last year’s fantastic event, members of the Northern Kite Group and kite flyers from around the country are looking forward to once again filling the sky over Bridlington with a huge selection of colourful and varied kites.
“Members of the public will be treated to some of the largest inflatable kites they’ve ever seen, synchronised kite flying to music and teddy bear parachuting. It promises to be a great event.”
The kite festival is sponsored by the Bridlington Tourism Association (BTA) who hope that it will help provide a timely boost for the local economy and increase visitor numbers to the town over the May weekend.
Bob Hillery, president of the BTA, said: “We at the Bridlington Tourism Association are very happy to be supporting this event and helping to provide the food stalls and toilets, which we hope will make the Kite Festival a bigger and better event than last year.
“We strive to sponsor as many events as possible to bring more staying visitors to Bridlington to help our members and the town. Bridlington is on the up and these types of events are a great addition to the Bridlington calendar to showcase how great our town has become.”
