TRR photo by Chris Conroy The sky filled with kites of all shapes, sizes and styles at Sullivan County Community College’s annual kite festival. (Click for larger image)

Catching a breeze

By CHRIS CONROY

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — After being postponed a day for bad weather that never arrived, the 12th Annual Kite Festival at Sullivan County Community College was graced with good weather and decent attendance on May 4.

Dozens of kites took to the sky at the festival. Guided by children, by parents and still others skillfully piloted by experts, classic diamond-shaped kites shared the airspace with more exotic bi-plane and boat shaped flying machines.

The breeze, while not quite as steady as some claimed it had been on May 3, the originally scheduled day for the event, made it relatively easy for even the smallest fliers to get their kites aloft. When that breeze stopped, though, lines went slack and no amount of coaxing could return the kites to the sky.

Sullivan County Commissioner of Planning and Community Development Alan Sorensen, on the field with his family, found the day pleasant.

“It’s a great day,” Sorensen said. “The turnout is good… this is a great event.”

Aside from the kites, a row of children’s game blow-ups including a basketball shoot, an obstacle course and stick battle kept the younger crowds entertained. Face painting, vendors and music by the Vantwistics punctuated the day for all ages.