Kite Festival celebrating fifth anniversary

The East Coast Kite Festival is becoming a fixture in Halifax, and it will celebrate its fifth year running this month.

“It's pretty exciting. We are really happy,” said Dolly Mirpuri, project manager for the festival and communications manager for the Atlantic Kite Festival. “Time really just flew by.”

“We enjoy this each and every year, and it's all volunteer-run. We continue to have drive and put steam behind it, and we have such good people working with us.”

They have kept their core team involved, even though there is a bit of turnover in volunteers. They've also expanded their kite display each year, including this one.

Mirpuri says though COVID-19 has been difficult to navigate, this year should be a good one.

“We had one last year when restrictions began to loosen a bit. But this year should be better,” she said. “There are more people vaccinated, less fear, and we are looking forward to this.”

She said spiritually, this event may serve as a really good experience for people.

“Our model is we want to fly as high as we can. In the last year-and-a-half, people have had so many obstacles. They want to overcome them, and kite flying is a symbolic way to do so,” she said.

The East Coast Kite Festival was born out of Mirpuri and those around her wanting to bring a piece of home to the Maritimes.

“A few of us missed the festivals back home in India. We wanted to bad to be a part of them, so we brought something like them here,” she said.

“Kite-flying is a big thing in India, and there's a huge festival every year,” she said.

Mirpuri refers to the International Kite Festival in Gujarat each year, which happens on January 14 and the 15^th as well.

“Everyone has two days off to fly kites from the terrace rooftops. It's chaos in the city, and it's such a festive environment.”

The organizing team has grown an even greater affinity for kite-flying in the last few years.

“Our skill, technique, and research have now allowed us to have several kites on different lines,” she said.

Mirpuri says extra precautions have been taken this year for event-goers due to the pandemic.

“We have plastic screens between the kite stalls and event-goers. We will have sanitizer and handwash stations in place, but it's harder to plan for COVID-19,” she said.

“We can't imagine what we're going to need before we need it in normal event planning circumstances. Because this is so new, we have to keep on our toes.”

Other protocols, especially around gathering limits, will also be followed at the August event.

“We will have signs to follow, we will have the six foot distancing, bubbling and require masks on if it's crowded. We are promoting all Public Health protocols,” she said. “We do have a bit of security to help manage the crowd as well.”

Over the last five years, the festival has seen immense growth and heightened popularity as well.

“I am really happy it's gone the way it has. We base our success on community response, and to see how this event has done is incredible,” she said.

“Having it bigger and better and showing our appreciation to event-goers is key. We have added big kites, more inventory, and we just want to keep our audience engaged.”

They also have three ring kites this year, which will provide plenty of great pictures and entertainment.

“They're six meters in diameter, and they need a lot of wind to form their shape. It takes a team of four or five to handle one ring kite. Once they're off the ground it only takes one to hold on, though. It's beautiful,” she said.

“We have kites available for people from beginner levels to professional levels. We have things for those of all abilities and age.”

It is a free event and runs August 21 and 22, 2021. It will take place at the Garrison Grounds. For more information, visit the East Coast Kite Festival Facebook page.