One of two kites spotted while approaching Forest City.
APPROACHING FOREST CITY, Iowa, from the south Saturday, bursts of color broke through the grey of morning fog. Kites. Two. I suspected they were to attract customers to a business. But I was wrong, as I would soon learn from Monte Topp.
Steam engine enthusiasts gather during Steam Engineer School at Heritage Park.
My husband and I met Monte when we pulled off the highway into Heritage Park of North Iowa, a 91-acre site dedicated to the preservation of America’s rural heritage. On this Saturday, the park was hosting Kite Day and a Steam School to teach the basics of steam engine operations, mechanics and safety.
Because of the weather, only a few people flew kites Saturday morning.
Directly across the chain link fence from the main grounds, dedicated enthusiasts gathered to fly kites. It was, said Monte, Forest City’s annual Kite Day. But with drizzle and fog making for less than ideal flying conditions, participation was minimal. We saw only three kites launched.
As we toured the grounds, this frog kite began to ascend.
But still, I was not disappointed. I was impressed. Impressed that Forest City and other north Iowa communities (according to Monte) set aside a day and a place to safely fly kites. On this Saturday it was Forest City’s turn to host. The municipal airport even closed for the event, Monte noted.
The vivid colors of this kite were a welcome visual jolt in the grey sky.
In this day when lives are ultra focused on technology and team sports, I find it comforting that the simple solo act of flying a kite holds such value in northern Iowa. There’s something about flying a kite that connects you to the sky in a way that’s powerful and poetic and freeing. Powerful wind tugging at string gripped in hand. Kite dancing. And then the soaring, oh, the joyfulness when everything comes together and a kite rides the wind.
Kite Day is all about kids and kites.
It’s lovely. Simply lovely in a way that roots you to the land, yet frees you to dream, to believe, to reach. I hope these north Iowa kids realize just how fortunate they are to live in communities that understand the value of kite flying enough to host Kite Day.
FYI: Clear Lake, Iowa, to the southeast of Forest City hosts a Color the Wind Kite Festival each February. Held on frozen Clear Lake, the event features about 50 kites, including stunt kites.
Check back tomorrow for a tour of Heritage Park in Forest City.
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I remember flying kites as a kid. I would, on occasion see how high I could get it. I succeeded on more than one occasion getting it so high; the string (or a faulty knot) just broke. It just kept on going. It was quite windy as well. The simple times…
Like you, I, too, have fond memories of kite flying. On the edge of the farmyard or sometimes in the field. We flew kites with our kids also. A lot of fun. Perhaps it’s time to fly a kite again.
For some reason, my fondest memories of kite flying was on windless days. There is something about being a child that finds any excuse to run.
Oh, yes, lots of running sometimes involved in getting a kite off the ground. Do you still like to run? I don’t.
These days I mostly walk with Scooter. He likes to run though. He is still a puppy, so he runs in circles around me. There is still a little puppy in me and a bit of the old Marathoner who keeps trying to convince me to jog..
Go, Scooter.
We would sometimes get a new kite for Easter. It’s not something you see much of anymore, That Frog is a crazy looking “kite”, certainly not the typical kite we are used to seeing. Too bad the weather was not so good for flying, imagine all the different kites that there would have been….maybe another time 🙂
I know. Dratted gloomy weather. Rain changed a few of our plans. But some places, like California, are praying for rain. So I am thankful we have gotten necessary moisture.
It’s been many years since I’ve flown a kite
But this post brings back fond memories of the feel of the tug as the kite was very high in the air
& the crackling sound of the material it was made from
Yes, maybe it’s time to try flying a kite again
I was thinking the same thing. Time to fly a kite. There’s something soothing about flying a kite, isn’t there?
what a great idea, celebrating America’s rural heritage. Every state should do this, after all this country was founded by farmers and the “outdoors man”.. And too, I now know where to go when my wife tells me to go fly a kite. Thanks for the info.
Yup. just tell her you are headed for Iowa.
I, too, would like to see more communities offering Kite Day.
lol..
That frog kite is awesome! When I was in England last year, I went to a kite flying festival somewhere in Northumberland that was just amazing for the variety of kites and the skill of the kite-flyers, who were all adults now that I think about it. The wind off the sea was perfect for keeping the kites flying high.
That would have been incredible to see. Thanks for sharing your kite viewing experience, Kathleen.
I remember flying kites as a kid but they were never like these kites. We wanted to buy our kids kites for Easter and couldn’t find them.
My childhood kites were basic, too, and nothing like this. Kites would have been the perfect Easter gift. Wish you could have found them.
I remember when my nephews were coming at Christmas one year, we bought them elaborate kites which they flew on a brisk and windy day in our field. It was joyful. My daughter loves frogs; she would go ga-ga over that big frog kite.
What a splendid thing to do for your nephews. Oh, yes, your daughter would love that frog kite.
I just love kites! While in South Padre last winter we saw several on the shoreline, also. I thought that using the beach areas was a great idea……not many trees!!!! LOL!!!!!!
So when did you last fly a kite?
It’s been a while but Tom really was interested so………..
There’s a Father’s Day gift for your kids to give Tom. A kite.
Great idea!!!!!!
Well, thank you.
This past weekend my neighbors grandson had a kite in their backyard. Too small of a space to fly it, but to see him running around with it a few feet behind him brought back so many memories. The memories came back again when I read your post. Thanks!
You are welcome. I’m always happy to bring back memories. What a delight to see your neighbor’s grandson with that kite.