Get ready for some high-flying fun over the frozen waters of Lake Harriet, as the 22nd annual Minneapolis Winter Kite Festival is about to paint the sky with colorful wonders. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has announced that this beloved family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, from 12 pm to 4 pm, featuring an array of kites set to dazzle the young and the young at heart.

According to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, festivities include a kid’s DJ s’mores, nature hikes, and yard games which means there's something for everybody whether you're there to fly or just to enjoy the spectacle, the Minnesota Kite Society experts will also be present, their skills are to be showcased with their intricate kite maneuvering, they'll share their kite-flying knowledge with interested attendees. If you don't have a kite, don't worry, you can snatch one up at the event, just look for the East Harriet Neighborhood Association table near the kids' DJ.

The buzz is all about accessibility and convenience, making sure families can get to the fun without a hitch. Free shuttles service will be provided for festival-goers, running from the Executive Building parking lot straight to Lake Harriet from 11 am to 5 pm that same day. Keep in mind, however, if you're driving, only accessible parking is available right at the festival, and the surrounding neighborhood is expected to be as jam-packed as a summer beach day, so your best bet might just be to leave the car at home and catch that shuttle.

Safety isn't taken lightly with the winter chill upon us and the event spread out on a sheet of ice, the staff is hard at work ensuring that the ice thickness is constantly monitored, a move that has everyone's approval because let's face it, no one wants their kite-flying day to turn into an ice rescue mission. Updates on ice conditions will be posted on the MPRB social media and the festival's website but remember the golden rule folks, lake ice is never 100% safe, and always watch out for areas with warning signs, it's simply not worth the risk.

Big thanks are in order, the MPRB has extended their gratitude to the event's partners and sponsors - notably the Linden Hills Neighborhood Council and the TEA2 Architects - community involvement is the cherry on top of what's sure to be, another successful Kite Festival. Don't be left out in the cold, mark your calendars for a day of whimsical winter fun that's bound to lift spirits as high as the kites themselves.