Test Flight
Preview of Kites Over Enid
10 a.m. Saturday
Behind James W. Strate Business Development Center
Kites Over Enid is still three weeks away, but kite enthusiasts, families and residents can experience a sneak peak of the event this weekend.
The Kites Over Enid committee will host a “preview” of the September 10 event at 11 a.m. this Saturday, near the James W. Strate Business Center, 2020 Willow Run, in Enid. Attendees will have the opportunity to help assemble kites, as well as to participate in a flight school and “trial run” for the event.
Volunteers are asked to arrive by 10 a.m.
“The official event is just around the corner,” Stan Hicks, event committee member, said. “This Saturday will allow us to better prepare for its success, reviewing logistics and gathering suggestions from volunteers and participants. We also will be assembling the hundreds of kites that will take flight on event day.”
Kites Over Enid is slated for 1 p.m., September 10. Enid area residents and school children, as well as guests from across the country, will attempt to break the Guinness Book World Record for the number of kites in the air at one time. Participants may purchase an official event kite for $5 or fly their own. Proceeds from kite sales and sponsorships will benefit Enid’s Habitat for Humanity.
More than 900 area students will fly kites during the event, and members of the public – from Northwest Oklahoma and beyond – are encouraged to participate. Committee members hope to have approximately 2,000 kites in the air for the official event. The current record of 967 kites was set in August of 2008. Phone calls of interest about the upcoming Enid event have already been received from across the globe.
According to organizers, the event has helped the community gain worldwide attention for its commitment to wind energy. Prior to the event, the Enid/ Garfield Development Alliance will host a wind energy summit, hosting dignitaries and energy professionals from across the country, including Denise Bode, former state corporation commissioner and current chief executive officer of the American Wind Energy Association.
"Enid is perfectly positioned to play a major role in our nation's growing wind energy industry. Setting the world record for flying kites is a great way for us to highlight our capabilities and invite wind industry executives from around the nation to our community," Brent Kisling, Enid/Garfield County Development Alliance executive director, said.
Platinum sponsors of Kites Over Enid include: Enid News & Eagle, American Wind Energy Association, Tradewind Energy, The Allen Family Charitable Foundation,
City of Enid and Horizon Wind Energy. Additional sponsors, along with additional event information, can be accessed by visiting kitesoverenid.com.
Sponsorships and event volunteers are still being accepted. For more information, please visit the website or call 233-4232.
Back-2-School Concert
Saturday
8 p.m. Splash Zone Waterpark
Stars Go Dim, winner of the 2008 Billboard World Song Contest for “Get Over It,” will play at a Back-to-School concert Saturday at Splash Zone Waterpark.
The concert is being promoted by local entertainment company Wize Guyz Entertainment. Admission to the concert is $10 per person in advance or $12 at the door.
Stars Go Dim started out as a project among friends in Tulsa. They quickly found a following on the Internet before their first sons were actually recorded. Upon release of their EP in October 2008, the group started getting regional and national press. Their Web site is www.starsgodim.com or www.myspace.com/starsgodim. They are releasing their first full-length album this month.
Sooner Celebration
All day Saturday
Waukomis will host its annual Garfield County District Fair and Sooner Celebration with a variety of events planned during the day on Saturday.
The event begins with a 7:30 a.m. 5K walk/run starting at the show barn. Entry forms are available at businesses in Waukomis.
A beef show and car show are planned for 10 a.m., along with a horseshoe pitching tournament. Afternoon activities start with a horticulture, crop and poultry show in the ag room at the school. Turtle races on Main Street are at 1 p.m. and children’s games begin at 1:30 p.m..
Events are scheduled throughout the day and include a free watermelon feed. A parade starts at 4:30 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled at dark at the football field.
Vendors booths will be available along Main Street during the day.