Gift of Wings Kite Festival returns for 36th year with a sky full of fun

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Grab your kite and let out your line because the Gift of Wings Family Kite Festival is back this weekend at Veterans Park.

"Kites are freedom," Gift of Wings owner Scott Fisher explained.

Fisher, who has been selling kites on the lakefront for decades, is always excited to share one of his favorite hobbies with the community on such a large scale.

"I think a kite festival is something that a lot of people aren't exposed to," he said. "It's just a beautiful event to see the giant kites flying with the city in the background. It's just a fun, relaxing day."

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. At noon on both days there will be a grand launch featuring over 600 kites.

"The grand launch is where the community comes out. The guests and flyers will come out and fly their kites. This isn't us; this isn't the performers. We want everybody involved in this. So, we ask everybody to come out," Fisher said.

With a new sponsor this year, Tri-State IKEA Store, the event is adding even more fun for all ages.

"When families come out to the kite festival, they can expect food sampling, kids' crafts, a little bit of a rest area to get out of the sun," IKEA Loyalty Manager Zach Naff said. "We're super excited to meet everybody, interact with them, have conversations, and have a great day."

The first 100 children to sign up and participate in the "Kids Mad Dash" will receive a free kite.

Though the festival is about kites, they are not the only things you will see in the air this weekend.

"We're going to take a few Johnsonville Brats, and we're going to attach them to parachutes, and we're going to drop them from the sky," Fisher said.

The event is free to attend, and there will be free parking available. For more information, visit GiftOfWings.com.