23 years strong, the shores of Wildwood will come alive again this spring with the return of the Wildwood Kite Festival! Taking place on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Wildwood is one of the few festivals to combine every facet of kiting into a single event, featuring kite builders, sport kite flyers, indoor flyers and large single line kite flyers all across the 4 days that the festival runs. Taking place on Memorial Day weekend, it begins Friday morning and doesn’t wrap up until late Monday evening, giving you plenty of time to see anything you may wish to see at a festival of this size.

The Eastern League and the AKA are sponsoring a competition event at this festival, the 23rd running of the East Coast Stunt Kite championships, featuring events for all skill levels of flyers, from Novice to Masters class, with dual line, quad line and fighter kite events scheduled. You’ll be able to see some of the best individuals, pairs and kite teams work their way through both Precision and Ballet events. For sheer excitement, take in Sunday’s planned Hot Tricks Shootout, where two flyers will be pitted against either other, regardless of kite flying style in an elimination match that will come down to just two flyers. Also taking place on Monday, Tricks Party USA will a Tricks Party competition, featuring some of North America’s best dual line pilots, competing within a unique format developed in France.

But, beyond the competition aspects of Wildwood, there’s lots to do in any direction you turn. Featuring kite making workshops and indoor kite flying within the Convention, this is where you can also take part in a variety of workshops that will be held. Morning workshops will be geared more towards kite flyers, while the afternoon ones are aimed towards the general public. Workshop presenters will include Paul Berard, Glenn Davison and a couple of international guests, so be sure to sign up early for these. Maybe this year will be your chance to finally get a handle on indoor kite flying, as there will be people giving lessons throughout the weekend and there’s also an indoor competition on Monday evening, just in case you are a really quick learner.

This year will also feature a return of a much larger iQuad, going from the four pilots who raised havoc all weekend last year to the largest team to ever descend on a festival with nine pilots making the trip to the Wood. Also, Revolution Kites is holding the East Coast edition of it's year long 20th anniversay bash. Bring out your quad kites and join in the party!

For more info about iQuad, visit - http://www.teamiquad.com

Outside on the festival fields, you can learn to fly a kite, or watch any of the many demos that will be given by some of the teams and individual kite flyers in attendance. Or maybe you need to tire out a kid, so head over to the daily “Running Of The Bols”, or be on the field for one of the candy drops. You can also watch the Rokkaku Challenge as various teams plot and run their way to victory and glory! And be sure to check out the night fly happening out on the boardwalk Friday evening. Last year saw iQuad circling overhead with light-tipped revs, and a flock of Barry Poulter's ghostly creations hovering in the lights above. All weekend long you'll be able to see an ever changing pack of large inflatables out on the beach. Is there a chance we'll see more than 20 octopi at once?

Also to be found out on the fields during the event will be fighter kite competitions, taking place both Saturday and Sunday but, perhaps the best fun will be had at this year’s Pirate themed Banquet. There will be prizes for the best costume so, now is the time to begin making your costume up. Release your inner pirate, arrrrrr! On Saturday night, the WIKF Auction will be held at the convention with both a silent auction that starts at 7pm, and a LOUD auction that will begin at 8pm. It promises to have many opportunities to separate you from your credit card, but at the same time, you may be able to pick up the kite of your dreams.

For further information, visit any of the sites shown below:

Eastern Sport Kite League
Tricks Party USA