Grand Haven's skies are set to become a vibrant tableau of color and movement this weekend as the city plays host to the Kite Festival at Grand Haven State Park. Scheduled for Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event is a compelling invitation for families, kite aficionados, and casual onlookers to convene for a visual spectacle – all contingent on the fickleness of the wind, of course. According to WZZM13, the festival boasts free admission and operates on a weather-dependent basis.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the festival will be the Show Kite Field—teeming with not only underwater denizens like Manta Rays, Swordfish, and Octopi but even extraterrestrial visitors in the form of kites. Eager to inject a dose of whimsy and variety, the festival's organizers promise a lineup of kite performers announced on-the-fly, with organization giving way to opportunism based on the day's wind conditions. As hinted in a Facebook post by the festival itself, attendees may keep their necks craned skyward for potential sightings of aerial whales or the odd alien duo.
It's not just about watching, however. Those itching to participate can bring their own kites and join the action in designated areas to the south of the art kite field or north of where the larger kites fend off gravity's persistent pull. And for novices or those without their own gear, MACkite, located downtown, provides an ample selection of kite-flying essentials and beach items to facilitate instant enjoyment.
On the ground, the festivities are no less engaging. A Kids Candy Drop promises to sweeten the deal for the younger attendees, available from 1 to 3 p.m. On the gustatory front, a convoy of food trucks will offer sustenance along the beach, while nearby restaurants remain open to cater to those preferring a more sedentary dining experience. Ambling through the park with a leashed pup seems an achievable multitask, provided the six-foot lead is respected, as WZZM13 delineated the park's pet policy.
For interested parties, the festival's mercantile dimension offers festival t-shirts and other memorabilia through donations, captured within a limited window at the main tent – providing a practical means to support this buoyant, donation-based event. Last, but never least, potential visitors can navigate the minor intricacies of parking. Michigan residents with a recreation passport escape the day's fees, while others might strategize around free parking alternatives. And if you find the mechanic of parking just too pedestrian, the Harbor Transit Beach Express shuttle proffers a solution with a phone call to 616-842-3200.
