LaredoBuzz.Com

Free, family fun festival will feature games, activities, food and fun

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Laredo, TX—The iconic, traditional diamond shape, flying carefree in the wind is evocative of a simpler, carefree childhood.   It is also one of the most easy, entertaining and affordable ways for a family to have fun together.  The bright colors and soaring heights will create memories that can last a lifetime for a child.  That’s why the Fourth Annual Spring Break Kite Festival is perfect for Laredo kids, and their families, to have a fun, and free, good time.

This year’s event will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2012, from 12-7 p.m. at North Central Park. District VI Council Member Charlie San Miguel will once again host the event; he’ll be joined by Dist. III Cm. Alex Perez, Jr., Dist. VII Cm. Jorge Vera and Dist. VIII Mayor Pro Tempore Cindy Liendo Espinoza, along with Keep Laredo Beautiful and the City of Laredo Parks & Leisure Services Department and numerous sponsors, as well.  Participants and spectators can find parking at the park’s entrance lot, located at 10202 International Boulevard, as well as lots on the park’s western edge along McPherson.

“In today’s economy, it’s time to go back to the time-honored, affordable family entertainment, where families enjoyed spending time with each other outdoors, interacting and creating special family traditions,” said Council Member San Miguel.  “This kite festival involves all these elements, and will be held in a beautiful, clean, community outdoor green space that we can all enjoy during Spring Break right here in Laredo, without having to travel anywhere, but just down the street,” he added.

The kite festival is open to kids of all ages, including those who are kids at heart.  There is no registration or entrance fee to the festival.  Just show up with a kite and start flying!  Even if you don’t have a kite, come on out.  A limited number of kites will be given out for free, along with healthy snacks while supplies last, thanks to generous sponsor HEB. Other sponsors are AEP, bringing the crowd favorite Safety Town; AT&T, with an exciting contest for the community; and Asmussen Horse Center, bringing those cute ponies for rides for all.

CenterPoint Energy promoting, along with their fellow utility participants, power line safety; Molina Health Care giving free water, while it lasts; Chick- fil-A at North Laredo, giving away coupons, games and prizes; and the Laredo FireFighters Union #872, and the Laredo Police Officers Association are hosting the carnival rides and jumping castles for the kids. Guerra Communication is the event’s official media sponsor.

“Fresh air and outdoor activity is a great way to encourage a healthy lifestyle and reduce stress.  Molina Healthcare is excited to participate with the City of Laredo’s 4^th Annual Spring Break Kite Festival and looks forward in sharing the heart healthy activities.  Enjoying the outdoors is also a cost-effective way to exercise for the entire family,” said Rose Mary Santos, community outreach coordinator for Molina Healthcare, which, aside from water, will be handing out wind mill and free health literature.

In fact, festival organizers have gone out of their way to ensure that the day is truly a family-friendly outing.  Aside from the kite flying, there will be plenty of other games and activities, including face-painting, hay rides, games, wildflower seed planting, jumping castles and other carnival rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and music with the classic styling of everyone’s favorite DJ, Rule Garcia, so everyone can have a fun-filled afternoon.  Finally, if that isn’t enough, be sure to catch the car show by the City Style Lowrider Car Club and bike show by the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club.

Thanks to Council Members Perez and Vera and Mayor Pro Tempore Espinoza, the Laredo Police Department Community Relations Unit and Big Buck and Z-93, a limited amount of pizzas, ribs, popcorn, hot dogs and sodas will be given away throughout the day.

And absolutely everything – EVERYTHING – is free!

For those who are serious about kite-flying; however, take notice of the following kite contest information.  Starting promptly at 4:00 p.m., kite judging will begin, and prizes will be given for the best homemade kite in the following age categories:  5-10; 11-13; 14-17; and over 18.

Celebrity judges will make the determination of all entrants.  All are welcome to enter.

Additionally, amateur and professional photographers are asked to snap as many pictures of the event and submit to AT&T for a photo contest to determine the cover of the next phone book. While there is no monetary value tied to this contest, the pride in knowing your photo was selected can’t be beat.

Of course, running around flying a kite does work up an appetite, so bring a picnic basket with your favorite snacks and refreshments (no alcohol will be allowed) and enjoy the lazy, picnic atmosphere.  Snacks will also be sold; benefitting the Parks Youth Committee. Just don’t forget to throw your trash and recyclables in the many Willie and Billie Botes that will be out there.  Several of the city’s local Explorer teams will be helping out with the activities and acting as the day’s litter patrol, reminding participants to keep the park, and the Laredo environment, clean.

Other organizations who will have a presence at the event will be the U.S. Border Patrol; U.S. Customs & Border Protection; Sheriff Martin Cuellar; Laredo Fire Department, the Laredo Police Department, who will all have several activities geared toward safety and protection, including KidID, Fire Safety House, and more.

“I look forward to seeing kids from all over Laredo enjoying themselves in this wonderful activity of flying kites,” San Miguel concluded.