March 26th, 2013

Kite Flying at Cape Henlopen State Park, 45th Annual Great Delaware Kite Festival, Good Friday, March 29th, Cape Henlopen State Park, No Advance Registration, Delaware Beaches

The 45th Annual Great Delaware Kite Festival is dedicated in memory of former Lt. Governor, Gene Bookhammer, who founded the event 45 years ago when he was asked by Governor Peterson to participate in a kite flying contest with a Maharajah from Bharatpur, India.  Mr. Bookhammer passed away on February 23rd at the age of 94.  Over the years, he continued to attend the festival as a spectator and for the past 24 years has sponsored the Best All Around award plaque named in his honor.  At the conclusion of this year’s festival, Mr. Bookhammer’s family will be in attendance to present the Bookhammer award.

The festival is co-sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation.  It will take place at Cape Henlopen State Park on Good Friday, March 29th.

There is no entry fee for competitors.  The competitions are in 3 age categories:  Children-Up to age 12; Teens-13-17, and Adults-18 & older.

Within each category, kite flyers are judged by the type of kite they are flying:  homemade or store-bought.

The Special Class awards include the Open Individual Ballet (free flight performance accompanied by music which the entrant provides), Individual Precision (compulsory figures including “The Square”, “The Mount”, and “Ladder Down” judged on technical execution), Most Senior Flyer, Youngest Flyer, Flyer Furthest From Home, Smallest Kite and Largest Kite.

The Highest Kite Award category is open to all ages and takes place approximately at 12:15 p.m.  There is no charge to watch.  Entrance fees apply for cars to enter Cape Henlopen State Park which will be collected at the entrance to the park.  $4 per car for Delaware license tags and $8 per car for out-of-state tags.  The Jolly Trolley will transport spectators to the competition field from the state park’s beach parking lot and handicap parking is available at the Seaside Nature Center parking lot.

Want to participate but do not have or have not made a kite?  Kids’ Ketch and Rehoboth Toy & Kite Company will be on-site selling a wide variety of kites with amply space adjacent to the competition field to practice in advance of the competitions which begin at 10:00 a.m.

There will be food vendors, a face painter and community organizations set up surrounding the field.

There is no advance registration.  Entrants can register on the field beginning at 9 a.m. and throughout the morning on Friday, March 29th.

The Children’s and Teen’s competitions take place from 10 a.m. to Noon, followed by the awards ceremony for the morning competitions.

Miss Cape Henlopen, Rebecca Lust, will present the morning awards.

The Highest Kite Competition begins immediately after the morning awards ceremony at approximately 12:15 p.m.  The Adult Competitions, Open Individual Ballet and Individual Precision Competition follow in the afternoon.  The awards ceremony for the afternoon competitions conclude the day’s activities.

Note:  Times may vary according to weather conditions and the number of competitors.

Have a great time!!

At Cape Henlopen State Park

April 1st, 2010

Lewes, Delaware, Events, Activities, Street Fest, Osprey Festival, Kite Festival, 4/1/10 – 4/4/10

Taking advantage of the beautiful weather that is upon on Lewes has outdoor events not to be missed.  Lewes, a true gem, is gearing up for Easter week-end.

Thursday, 4/1/10 – First Thursday – Celebrate Lewes Life from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Event location:  The Historic Lewes Commercial Area.  This is really a street fest when participating merchants will leave open, for extended hours, their businesses on the first Thursday of the month.  In-store specials and activities, as well as musical entertainment.  This evening event is sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.

Friday, 4/2/10 – Great Delaware Kite Festival at the Cape Henlopen State Park, near Lewes.  It is a Good Friday tradition, sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware State Parks.  Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. and the festival starts at 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  It is free, but fees for some competitors and park admission applies.  More info?  Please visit www.leweschamber.com or call 302-645-8073.

Saturday, 4/3/10 – Osprey Festival at the Cape Henlopen State Park from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  The Cape Henlopen State Park is near Lewes.  Games, crafts, children’s activities and hayrides to the osprey observation points will be available.  $5.00 per person plus remember that there will be a park admission fee.  For more info. please call 302-645-8983.

Sunday, 4/4/10 – Happy Easter!!  –  Easter Sunrise Service on the Beach in Lewes.  It is sponsored by the Lewes-Rehoboth Association of Churches.  More info?  Please call 302-227-2109.

Have a Great Easter Week-End? And, enjoy the weather, the flowers, the flowering trees, etc., etc.  Talk to you later…