Colorful kites will once again fill the sky outside of Callaway this Labor Day weekend as the community hosts the 35th annual Callaway Kite Flight.
The event takes place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5 and 6, at Foster Smith Field, located four miles east of Callaway on Highway 40. The kite flight runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, with professional and amateur kite flyers expected to take to the skies.
Flyers travel from across the country and even internationally to take part in the event as they have for years. Flags displayed along the entrance represent the states and countries from which kite flyers have traveled to Callaway.
Kindle Rice, who helps organize the event, says the community itself is a big reason the kite flight continues to attract visitors.
“There’s just something about this community that draws people back every year. It really is the community that brings these people in,” said Rice.
In addition to the kite flying, there will be activities for the entire family throughout the weekend.
Lifting Spirits Face Painting and a balloon artist will be at Foster Smith Field Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and barrel train rides will be offered Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A watermelon feed will be held at 1 p.m. both days, with watermelon provided by Callaway Market. A dunk tank featuring local celebrities will be open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Children can also pick up free color-your-own kites at the T-shirt booth and decorate them before taking them out to fly.
Food and drinks will be available throughout the event, including barbecue and burgers from Smokin’ Double D’s BBQ, fresh-squeezed lemonade from the Lemonade Shack, and offerings from Becky’s Bakery and Mad Maddie’s Drinks. Vendors will also have kites, yard art, jewelry and other items available.
Saturday evening will feature the popular Night Flight, beginning at 9 p.m., when illuminated kites take to the sky.
The Callaway American Legion Post 59 will also host its annual catfish fry Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Legion Hall. The meal will be a free-will donation, with proceeds benefiting the Legion’s scholarship fund.
The Labor Day weekend celebration continues Sunday evening with the Seven Valleys Rodeo bringing Roughstock Rodeo to the Seven Valleys Rodeo Grounds.
Gates open at 6 p.m., with mutton busting at 6:30, a Calcutta at 7 and the rodeo performance at 7:30. The event will feature ranch bronc riding, bull riding and junior bull riding, along with concessions.
Admission to the rodeo is $10, with children five and under admitted free.
The Callaway Kite Flight admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children, or $25 for a whole carload.
Rice said the event is made possible by a large group of volunteers, local businesses and community supporters who help prepare the field and keep the weekend running.
