Southpoint Klite Festival

By Mark Ribble

Sunny skies and breezy days prevailed for the 4th installment of the Southpoint Klite Festival (kites plus lights) as about 7,600 ‘kids of all ages’ flocked to the Leamington soccer fields on Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2.

Spinning wheel kites, character kites and aerobatic kites all filled the air on both days, with Saturday’s heavy winds presenting somewhat of a challenge for the larger spectacles.

In addition to the kites, thousands of ground level effects and lights were spaced around the perimeter of the complex in order to provide a colourful experience on Saturday evening once the sun went down.

The Southpoint International Klite Festival is the culmination of weeks and hours of hard work by organizer George Paisiovich and his small cast of hardy volunteers, who worked tirelessly to provide the free event to the community.

An idea of a Southpoint Kite Club was hatched over the weekend and Paisiovich would like to hear from anyone interested in that or volunteering at next year’s event. He can be reached at george@paisiovich.com.

In the top photo, Jocelyn (7), left, and Delaney Dulac (10) of Leamington enjoy the colourful wind tunnel. At the left is a small sample of the kites on the main field. Bottom are two nighttime fairies: Susan Dewitte of Blenheim and Meaghan Tarasick of Thornhill.