Mother Nature can be a fickle friend.
“Hopefully the weather will be good and the kites can be up in the air and fly,” said Sue Steilen, community events coordinator for the Village of Homer Glen. “It is weather-dependent. If it’s raining, we can’t get kites up in the air.”
After a successful launch last year, the Homer Glen Kite Festival returns to Homer Glen’s Heritage Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14. Admission to the festive is free.
“The attendance was unbelievable. We didn’t expect so many. We estimated that we had 2,000 people last year,” Steilen said of the inaugural event. “It was so well received we anticipate a large attendance again this year.”
Participants can bring their own kite to fly or watch Chicago Kite demonstrate its large kites.
“They will bring kites of all shapes and sizes, up to 100 feet long,” Steilen said. “You won’t miss it, you will see them in the air.”
Last year the professional kite company brought a variety of large, nylon kites to fly, including one in the shapes of dragons, fish, airplanes and more.
“The kites they really do come in all shapes and sizes,” Steilen said. “They will also be on site selling kites. Their kites start at $15 and go on up. So there’s a large variety of kites. And people are encouraged to bring their own.”
After last year’s bigger than expected crowd, an additional food vendor was added for this year.
“We increased the food vendors because they just about ran out of food last year,” Steilen said.
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Four food trucks will be on site this year: Ben’s Soft Pretzels, Smokin’ Z BBQ, Mucha Salsa and The Creamery.
“People are also encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and cooler or whatever and picnic in the park as well,” she said.
In addition to the kites, the park offers a play area. Cross of Gloria Lutheran Church will also offer lawn games for children. The Homer Township Library Bookmobile will be on site, and The Homer Glen Junior Woman’s Club will be handing out free packets of milkweed seeds.
The kite festival was started last year as a way to get people to bring people together for an affordable day of outdoor fun, Steilen said.
“Our community motto is ‘Community, Harmony and Nature’ and it just seems like a nice thing to get people outside and enjoy the day,” she said. “And it really doesn’t cost much. You can even make your own kite at home.”
“It’s just fun to get outside,” Steilen said. “Come prepared to enjoy the weather outside, and plan for spending a day in the park.”
Homer Glen Kite Festival
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 14
Where: Heritage Park, 14240 W. 151st St., Homer Glen
Tickets: Free admission
Information: 708-301-0632; homerglenil.org
Kathy Cichon is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.