It’s a party and m-ural invited
Mural dedication kicks off Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival
You’ll have more to look up to at this year’s fall kite festival in Lincoln City, with the unveiling of a new kite mural kicking off the festivities.
The new mural, “The Magic of the Lincoln City Kite Festival” features an image from Travel Oregon’s whimsical “Oregon, Only Slightly Exaggerated” campaign. Located a half-mile from the D River State Recreation Site, where the kite festival takes place every summer and fall, the mural will also now become part of the Lincoln City Art Trail.
Painted by Oregon artists Jeremy Nichols and Blaine Fontana, the kite festival mural adorns the exterior walls of City Hall and McKay’s Market at 801 SW Hwy. 101. The artists have worked on other murals in the Oregon Mural Trail; Fontana worked on the mural in The Dalles, and Nichols painted the mural for both Yachats and Pendleton.
“We’re thrilled to bring a piece of Oregon’s imaginative tourism campaign, ‘Oregon, Only Slightly Exaggerated,’ to Lincoln City," said Kim Cooper Findling, Explore Lincoln City director. “Created in partnership with Travel Oregon, the mural celebrates our popular kite festivals while also establishing Lincoln City as the 10th destination on the statewide Oregon Mural Trail. Public art is a priority for us, and we’re honored for the opportunity to showcase our region through this enchanting medium to both visitors and local residents.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at noon on Friday, Sept. 6, with a free shuttle service provided from Chinook Winds Casino Resort to McKay’s Market from 11 am to 2 pm.
The ribbon cutting will kick off the Fall Kite Festival, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7 and 8.
The festival provides a weekend filled with breathtaking kite displays, professional kite flying demonstrations, delicious food and hands-on activities including a kite making workshop, with donations going to benefit Family Promise of Lincoln County.
"Lincoln City’s Fall Kite Festival is a cherished tradition that brings together our community and visitors for a weekend of joy and creativity," said Stephanie Hull, event and outreach coordinator for Explore Lincoln City. "This year’s event will also host international fliers coming in from Canada, Australia and Germany so it’s sure to be an extra-special weekend filled with vibrant colors and incredible kite displays."
While guests are allowed to bring their own kite, they will need to be flown at locations away from the festival up or down the beach to allow the professional flyers to display their talents. The event is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your leashed furry friends to enjoy the festivities.
Parking will be available at the Lincoln City Community Center, located at 2150 NE Oar Place, and the Lincoln City Outlets, located 1500 SE East Devils Lake Road. A free shuttle service will operate continuously, transporting visitors between these locations and the festival site.
For more information, go to explorelincolncity.com.
Event Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 7
10 am - Announcements and festival opening performance
10 am to 2 pm - Free kite making workshop.
10 am to 4 pm - Performances by featured fliers
2 to 3 pm - Tours of the big kite field
4 pm - Festival closes
Sunday, Sept. 8
11 to 11:20 am - Kite flier memorial
12:30 to 1:30 pm - Mega Fly, all fliers on the field together
1:30 pm to 4 pm - Performances by featured fliers
2 to 3 pm - Tours of the big kite field
4 pm - Festival closes
All Day:
Pixie Fest carnival games
Art Kite Display