Santa Maria Discovery Museum: Free Family Kite Festival

Central Coast residents of all ages will send hundreds of brightly colored kites soaring into the sky Saturday, April 16, at the annual Free Family Kite Festival. More than 2,000 people are expected to attend this highly anticipated community event, which will run from noon to 4 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, 2625 S. College Drive, in Santa Maria.

Presented by the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, the Santa Maria Recreation & Parks Department and the Santa Maria Public Airport, the Kite Festival will feature professional kite-flying demonstrations, contests, food, vendors and music. Kite Ambassadors from the American Kitefliers Association will be on hand to help families and to ensure smooth flying. There will also be a kite “hospital” at the park for kites that need first aid.

Children of all ages will get to chase after kite tails and try their luck at the “Running of the Bols” race, during which contestants strapped to parachute-type kites race each other in an epic demonstration of how energy, inertia and personal grit come together for some wild family fun.

Located at 705 S. McClelland Street, the Discovery Museum is fun for all ages, with 13,000 square feet of “please touch” exhibits, weekly programs and special events that explore ourselves, our valley, our world and beyond. Discover the power of play at the only children’s museum in Northern Santa Barbara County.

For more information, visit smvdiscoverymuseum.org or call 928-8414.