Guide to Windscape Kite Festival
During a two-day weekend in June, hundreds of colourful kites of all shapes and sizes take to Saskatchewan’s big, prairie skies as part of the SaskPower Windscape Kite Festival in Swift Current.
This free, family-friendly festival attracts 40 international kite artists from around the world and more than 11,000 visitors in a celebration of culture and community.
Getting to the Kite Festival
The Windscape Kite Festival grounds are located south of the city of Swift Current at the junction of 11 Ave SW and Marston Street.
If arriving by car, free parking is available at the north end of the festival field. There is a complimentary shuttle available as well as a paved walkway from the parking lot to the main festival tents. RV’s can day park in the southeast corner of the parking lot.
What to Bring to the Kite Festival
The festival goes ahead rain or shine, so being prepared is important as the weather in Saskatchewan can change at any time. Pack a day bag with sunscreen, bug spray, and extra layers of clothing including rain gear and an umbrella. Bring foldable lawn chairs or a blanket to sit and enjoy the kite performances.
There are accessible toilets as well as a baby changing station on site. An ATM and charging station are located in the Main Tent.
Where to Buy a Kite
Not only can you bring your own kite to fly at the festival, but you can buy single-line or dual-line kites on-site at The Kite Store in the Children’s Tent. There is a public flying area at the south end of the field with volunteer instructors to help you learn the ropes. If you crash your kite, no worries. The festival also has a Kite Hospital where volunteers can help repair any damage.
How to Fly a Kite
Flying a kit is not as easy as it appears, especially if you want to swoop or loop your kite.
Three tips to successfully fly a kite:
- Choose the right kite.
Kites come in all shapes and sizes. Choosing the right kite for both your skill level and wind conditions will make flying easier.
- Learn the basics.
Learn how to steer the kite before attempting tricks and stunts.
- Don’t give up.
Even if Mother Nature is not in your control or you crash your kite, keep trying.
The Art of Kites
The art of building and successfully flying kites is a process that professional flyers fondly call “TLAR” or “That Looks About Right.” Because of the myriad of design options, the handmade kites at the festival are built based on trial and error. But a lot of hard science is involved, including consideration around lift, drag, tension, velocity, and the range and weight of kite material used.
Kites are also artistic masterpieces painted, sewn, and constructed by hand. Because kites can be a variety of shapes and sizes, the challenge lies in the combination of how the kite looks and how it flies.
Alongside traditional kites, you can spot creative ones like jellyfish, whales, dragons, dinosaurs, aliens, and other creatures taking to the air. Some of these kites can be up to 30 metres in length.
What to do at the Windscape Kite Festival
The festival features a variety of family-friendly activities and events throughout the weekend.
- Take in Professional Kite Flying Performances
Scheduled performances by professional and celebrity kite flyers run on both days throughout the weekend and include aerobatic, dual, and quad-line stunt kite routines.
- Kite Building Workshops
One of the most popular activities at the festival is the kite-building workshops where kids and adults can build a simple sled or bird-shaped kite. Volunteers are available to help with the construction of the kite and guarantee it will fly.
- Light up the Night Kite Glow Stick Kite Flying
New to the festival is a nighttime event each evening. Amateur kite flyers can add glow sticks to their kites and fly them in the dark.
- Kinetic Wind Sculpture Garden
The Kinetic Wind Sculpture Garden combines movement and sound in creative displays crafted by local artists. Walk through and enjoy the works of art that incorporate a variety of materials including glass mosaics, windchimes made out of silverware, and spinning whirligigs.
- Long Day’s Night Music Festival
The Long Day’s Night Music Festival celebrates the longest days of the year. From the bluesy-rock power ballads of Terra Lightfoot to the high-energy riffs of The Commoners & The Radiant Performances, the three-day music festival runs during the evenings on the same weekend as the Windscape Kite Festival. Local talent Ribrash will close out the event at the afterparty.
Tickets are available here.
Check out what all there is to see and do in Swift Current in our guide to the city here.
Kids Activities at the Kite Festival
There are more than a dozen activities for children to enjoy, including performances by jugglers, singers, and stilt walkers. Free activities include the candy catapult, obstacle course, plinko, and scavenger hunt.
For activities that charge a small fee, Windscape Bucks are $2 each and can be purchased in the Children’s Tent. Kids can try their hand at the bubble station, find treasures in the mystery sandpile, experiment with button making, get messy at the splatter mural, and have their faces painted.
There’s also a kite-making workshop where kids can build, decorate, and fly their kites, plus a bol race where kids race alongside each other with a kite parachute.
Festival coupons can be found online.
Dining at the Kite Festival
Picnic tables and free water stations are located on the festival grounds. Outside food is welcome and it’s a great event to “bring your own picnic.”
For those who prefer to dine at the festival, there are several food trucks on site. Biggar Bites serves up smoked burgers, Cuban sandwiches, and poutine. Pop’s Shawarma specializes in donairs and shawarma bowls. Mini donuts will be available at Small Fry Donuts and a variety of fruit smoothies and juices can be ordered from Booster Juice.
Snacks and treats are available in the main rest tent and include popcorn, ice cream, and candy bags.
A Family-Friendly Experience at the Windscape Kite Festival
It’s hard not to leave the festival site without feeling delighted, awed, and a deep appreciation for the science, artistry, and skill that goes into creating and flying kites.
Community events like the Windscape Kite Festival are only a success because of all the people behind the scenes who work so hard. Thanks to the more than 100 volunteers who make every year a great one at the festival.
Ashlyn George is the award-winning travel writer, photographer, and creator behind The Lost Girl’s Guide to Finding the World.