THE WILDWOODS – The Wildwoods will officially kick off the 2017 summer season at the Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony on Friday, May 26 at noon on the Andrews Avenue beach next to the Wildwoods Convention Center.
Tourism and city officials, guest speakers and more than 300 elementary school children will participate in the ceremony to officially ‘unlock’ the ocean with a large, ornate key and open the summer season. There will be plenty of colorful kites in the air and after the ‘unlocking,’ as the children fly kites that they made earlier that morning in kite-making workshops inside the Convention Center, officially kicking off the International Kite Festival. This event is FREE to attend.
The 32nd Annual Wildwoods International Kite Festival, the largest kite festival in North America, also begins that day and takes place through Memorial Day Monday, May 29. The event features kite makers from around the world flying their most incredible colorful creations during exhibitions and competitions. The kite festival officially starts at 9 p.m. on Friday, May 26 featuring an illuminated night kite fly on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue.
The Kite Festival continues on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, starting at 9 a.m. daily, with the East Coast Stunt Kite Championships featuring the best sport kite pilots in the United States. The championships are comprised of a variety of competitions for individuals, pairs and teams. Also during the weekend, join in the Candy Drop, Running of the Bols, Rev Games or Rokkaku Team Challenge; fly a kite on the Learn to Fly Field or watch the Fighter Kite Competition. More fun is to be had with kite exhibits and workshops on the beach.
The Wildwoods International Kite Festival Auction will be held on Saturday, May 27 in Meeting Rooms 1, 2 and 3 inside the Wildwoods Convention Center and is open to the public. The Silent Auction begins at 7 p.m. and the Loud Auction begins at 8 p.m. where many unique kites and collectibles will be up for bid. The Auctions support the International Kite Festival.
The kite festivities conclude with the World Indoor Kite Competition in the Oceanfront Arena at the Wildwoods Convention Center on Monday, May 29 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kite fliers will showcase their impressive ability to fly a kite without wind; with performances choreographed to music.
For additional information about the 32nd Annual Wildwoods International Kite Festival, please call (732) 822-4884 or visit www.SkyFestivals.com.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call (800) 992-9732.