Get ready for high-flying fun at Council on Aging of West Florida’s fourth annual Kites on the Coast event, presented by Gulf Winds Credit Union.
This spring, the community is invited to come out for a weekend and celebrate this classic pastime with kite flying, kids’ activities, local vendors, food trucks and show-stopping demonstrations by Chicago Kite and SkyFX. As in years past, this event supports aging adults throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“A lot of people wonder why an aging service nonprofit is putting on a kite festival, and the reason is that kite flying is such a classic pastime that is for all ages,” Council on Aging Marketing Communications Director Emily Echevarria said. “We wanted to have this celebration of that classic pastime to promote intergenerational fun and bring the community together to enjoy it, while also learning about what we do at the Council on Aging, about our programs and the seniors that we serve in the community.”
The Council on Aging’s inaugural Kites on the Coast event was held in September of 2021 as an opportunity to host intergenerational fun that everyone could enjoy. Kites on the Coast promotes fun for all ages with the classic pastime of kite-flying over the beautiful setting of Pensacola Beach. Individuals and families can bring their own kites to fly, purchase them at the event or sit back and enjoy the sight of the many colorful kites soaring above the shoreline.
Friday’s event kicks off at 4 pm and runs until 10 pm, with a lighted night fly taking place after sunset. Saturday’s festivities will kick off at 10 am with another lighted night fly after sunset, weather permitting. Sunday’s kite flying will take place from 10 am until 2 pm.
Returning to the festival this year is show-kite purveyor Chicago Kite with their massive, colorful sea creature-themed kites. Michigan-based stunt kite-flying team SkyFX will also attend the event with their famed buzzing choreographed formations.
Kites on the Coast will host multiple food trucks, including Greek’s Catering and Events, Waffle Boutique and Royal Bowls and Smoothies. The ECUA Quench Buggy will also be present at the event offering sustainable water refills and keeping the beach clean from disposable plastics.
Council on Aging is grateful for this year’s Presenting Sponsor Gulf Wind Credit Union. Additional support from Centennial Bank, Cat Country 98.7, NewsRadio 92.3, ECUA and Trinity Health PACE of Pensacola help the Council on Aging host this beloved community event. Cat Country 98.7 will emcee Saturday’s event and be accompanied by their cat mascot for photos.
This year’s event will also feature a number of raffles with sourced from Innerlight Surf Shop and other local businesses.
Attendees may donate to further support the Council on Aging and its programs online, or by donating items such as heaters, adult pull-ups and briefs, as well as Ensure nutritional supplement shakes. Council on Aging also welcomes volunteers for their other events and programs such as Meals on Wheels, caregiver support and The Retreat adult day care, all of which help seniors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties age safely in place in their most comfortable surroundings.
Join in on the fun for professional kite-flying demonstrations, a lighted night fly on Friday and Saturday (weather permitting), a kids’ area with paper kites and coloring sheets and refreshments from local food trucks. Proceeds from event donations and sponsors support the programs and seniors served by the Council on Aging on West Florida.
Gulf Winds Credit Union Kites on the Coast, presented by Council on Aging of West Florida, will transform the sky over Casino Beach with a vibrant showcase of color and motion.
For more information and event details, visit the Council on Aging website at coawfla.org or kitesonthecoast.org.