There were plenty of family activities including ice fishing, horse-drawn wagon rides, snowshoeing, a kids medallion hunt, and a marshmallow roast. Thousands of cups of hot cider and cocoa were served on this cold, but beautiful sunny winter day.
The Mr. Kite and the Minnesota Kite flew the big kites with Minnesota Kite Society members demonstrated their skills maneuvering spectacular kites throughout the day.
The DNR Ice Fishing Expo had over 850 visitors who learned ice fishing skills and safety tips.
On behalf of all of our sponsors, supporting local businesses and our volunteers we hope you had a great time. We are looking forward to seeing everyone next year at the 10th Anniversary of the Winter KiteFest!
Thank you to all of the East Harriet volunteers - you were an integral part of this event which could not have been such a success without you:
Alice Altmann, Andrea Breen, Staven Bruce, Dean Carlson, Nicole Claeson, Jill Clements, Michael Dietrich, Tom Goudreault, Susan Gray, Donovan Hart, Karen Heintz & Matt Perry, Jean Kranz-Swenson, Kevin Larson, Christina & Ann McKasy, Pam Meier, Jason Miller & Syd Satovich, Darcie & Zach Mullinax, Karen & Steve Olson, Allie O’Toole, Eileen O'Toole, Laura Schirber, Cathleen Simmons, Frank & Laurel Slavik, Marcia Soderholm, Jenny Taplin, Meg Tuthill, Dawn Uremovich , Bruce Wadman, Roger Worm (our apologies if we have left anyone out!)
A special thank you to the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) who is the the lead sponsor of this event. Staff from the MPRB, the Linden Hills Recreation Center, Lyndale Farmstead Park, Lynnhurst Recreation Center, and Martin Luther King Park all contributed to the success of this signature city winter festival.
We would also like to thank the the organizations that co-sponsored this year's KiteFest along with the East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood Association:
Organizational Co-Sponsors
DNR Fisheries Fishing in the Neighborhood Program (FiN)
Linden Hills Neighborhood Council (LHiNC)
Minnesota Kite Society
People for Parks
SWAC
Business Sponsors
Amigo Service Center
Bryant Hardware
Grand Cafe
Lakewood Cemetery
Nicollet Ace Hardware
Quality Coaches
EHFNA is grateful for the financial support from these local businesses. A vibrant urban community is the synthesis of healthy neighborhoods and successful local businesses. We thank these businesses for helping our community be the fantastic place it is.
View Photos From 2009 KiteFest
We Love Our Volunteers!
Thank you to all of the East Harriet and MPRB volunteers - you were an integral part of this event which could not have been such a success without you:
Alice, Nichole Alberg, Matt Arnold, Andrea Breen, Dean Carlson, Howard & Debra Dallin, Michael Dietrich & daughter Yasmine, Heidi Grapevine, Joanne Guillery, Karen Heintz, Jean Krantz-Swenson, Kevin Larson, Ann and Christine McKasy, Pam Meier, Matt Perry, Lindsey Pete, Cathleen Simons, Frank and Laurel Slavik, Cindy Smith, Jenny Taplin, James Thorson, Nick and Hunwen Westman, Roger Worm (our apologies if we have left anyone out!)
A Kite Festival Story
The 2009 Annual Winter Kite Festival could not have had better weather. There was plenty of sunshine and a beautiful winter blue sky throughout the day. Light winds lifted the big kites into the air without driving the wind chill to an uncomfortable level. The high temperature of 17 degrees was a reminder Minnesotans are a hardy bunch that won't let a little cold get in the way of having fun. The ice was thick; the snow was crunchy. As one person exclaimed "this is exhilarating!"
It is hard to measure the number of people who attended this free event, but some estimates put attendance at nearly four thousand. The Minnesota Kite Society and Mr. Kite (a.k.a. Craig Christensen) flew the big kites, one of which was in excess of 250 square feet! Equally impressive were the hundreds of kites of all shapes, sizes and colors dotting the sky over Lake Harriet flown by residents who brought their own or purchased them at the event. "I haven't flown a kite since I was 10!" remarked a grinning new kite owner. One hundred and fifty kites were sold by EHFNA volunteers.
While the kites flew overhead, marshmallows roasted over a wood burning fire pit. Gallons of hot chocolate and mulled cider warmed hands. The DNR fishing expo offered a hands-on education. Young and old enjoyed the trip along the lake in the horse and wagon ride. The Park provided snowshoes so people could experience this 6,000 year old means of getting around through deep snow. Grandparents helped grandchildren search for hidden golden pine cones in the Scavenger Hunt.
This year's Kite Festival story would not be complete without mentioning Alice. Last year, one young girl who was helping with the Kid's Scavenger Hunt said to me, "I want to be an official volunteer next year." "Absolutely," I told her, shaking hands on the deal. Unfortunately, without her last name, we were unable to contact her. Much to our delight and surprise we found Alice waiting at the band shell when we arrived that morning! Alice had been waiting all year to be an "official" Scavenger Hunt volunteer. And this year she brought her own volunteers to help with juggling during the riotous countdown: her dad, Michael, and her brother Elliot are jugglers!
Thank you to the Lyndale Farmstead Park and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, the many co-sponsor organizations and to all of the volunteers for making this community event a day of lasting memories.
Warm regards,
Matt Perry, EHFNA Chair