One of the events on The Shell Factory’s calendar of 70 events in 70 days was the ‘Kite Festival’ which was held on Sunday, November 18, 2007. When was the last time you flew a kite? The Shell Factory hosted event included the kite festival and contest with great prizes for the winners.

Adults and kids alike attended the event and this is just a little sample of the people and kites that flew high above The Shell Factory and Nature Park in North Fort Myers, Florida.

So next time someone says to you “go fly a kite“, do it! You would be surprised how relaxing it is!

To see other upcoming events click here to view our calendar of events for our 70 events in 70 days celebration.

Interesting history on kites from the Wikipedia.org.

“Approximately 2800 years ago the kite was first invented and popularized in China, where materials ideal for kite building were readily available: silk fabric for sail material, fine, high-tensile-strength silk for flying line, and resilient bamboo for a strong, lightweight framework. The kite was said to be the invention of the famous 5th century BC Chinese philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban. By at least 549 AD paper kites were being flown, as it was recorded in that year a paper kite was used as a message for a rescue mission.[1] Ancient and medieval Chinese sources list other uses of kites for measuring distances, testing the wind, lifting men, signaling, and communication for military operations.[1] The earliest known Chinese kites were flat (not bowed) and often rectangular. Later, tailless kites incorporated a stabilizing bowline. Kites were decorated with mythological motifs and legendary figures; some were fitted with strings and whistles to make musical sounds while flying.”