Best Time to Fly a Kite in Kenai: Kenai Kite Festival
Go fly a kite… in Kenai at the annual Kenai Kite Festival. This tradition “lifted off” into the breeze beginning in the summer of 2019 when a group of locals decided that the breezy banks in Kenai were the perfect place for a kite flying party. The community caught on – Walmart offered free small kite kits, and locals tried their hand at unique homemade designs ranging from dragons to pirate ships – and everything in between.
While the tradition took a brief pause in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it was back in 2021, and is coming back again this summer from 12pm to 4pm on Saturday, June 4th, 2022. The Kenai Kite Festival will be held at Millenium Park in the field behind Arby’s and Louie’s Steak and Seafood restaurant, both of which are convenient places to refuel after the festival.
June IS the best time for average wind speed in Kenai with steady breezes and wind gusts that are guaranteed to take your kite as high as your line will go. Kenai has a reputation for being windy on any given day, although most people will find the sea breeze a welcome respite during warmer summer days.
Locals and visitors can attempt daring stunts as they join members of the Alaskiters as their decorative displays dot the skies with colorful creations. There will be a 100 foot crocodile kite, a 66 foot octopus kite, and reportedly Alaska’s biggest kite. Additionally, there will be food trucks offering concessions, beer, kite races, and more entertainment to keep you occupied for this special annual summer event in Kenai.
The party isn’t contained on the bluffs of Kenai. In fact, it is a community affair. The day before the Kite Festival, the Kenai Community Library will host a kite building class, Kite Building 101, on Friday June 3rd from 3 to 5pm. Small businesses bring more of the community to the cause starting at 6 p.m. with food trucks and more ways to enjoy this great event.
We will see you there!