Kite flying was a family affair Sunday at the University of the Virgin Islands, where dads and granddads advised the newest generation of wind riders on how to pull up and jerk the string to keep the kite airborne.
Dozens of kites of all sizes and shapes, handmade and store-bought, colored the sky at the Kite Festival hosted by the Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Committee.
Vaughn Brown was heard coaching his daughter Nataki,11, and son, Devante,7, on the finer points of kite flying. Each child had created a kite using paper and plastic.
“Kite flying is beautiful and fun,” Brown said. “It’s even more fun to watch a kite you made fly. Instead of buying this and that and spending a lot of money, this is a good activity to bring back for the kids.”
Brown explained he is a native Crucian, so he grew up flying kites.
Reuben Ayala and his grandson Renaldo, 9, were flying a kite with a pattern of the Puerto Rican Flag.
“It’s a beautiful thing flying kites,” Reuben Ayala said in a thick accent. He said kite flying is a tradition in his family.
Arash Pahlavan said flying kites with his family is a lot of fun and an awesome thing to do.
“This is a really healthy and worthwhile activity for kids,” Pahlavan said. His son Alexander, 9, entered the contest for the smallest kite.
Competitions were held in different categories with first, second and third place trophies and ribbons awarded. Kites were judged on launching, aesthetics, construction, highest flying, sizes and design. Local kite master Jubal Sargeant judged the competition and offered tips and techniques on flying and handling skills.
VI/PR Friendship committee member Ricky Rodriguez said the festival brings back happy memories of when he was a child.
“It’s wonderful that the parents are here flying kites with their kids,” Rodriguez said. “And everyone is having fun.”
“This was a great family fun day,” said Karole Ovesen-McGregor, president of the committee. The turnout was good, she said, and everything was going as the committee anticipated. She said the committee will definitely host the festival again next year, only it will be bigger.
Ovesen-McGregor said they are hosting monthly events, such as the kite festival, gearing up for the organization’s 50th anniversary celebration. The committee will hold a flea market in May, with the date to be determined. On June 14 there will be a Bohemia night of dancing and music by Tropical Sound at the Basilo Felix Ballpark on Castle Coakley Road at the Armapavie Sports Club.
