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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 Fifth 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 14, 2013, from 12-7 p.m. at North Central Park, located off of McPherson Avenue and San Isidro Parkway. District VI Council Member Charlie San Miguel will once again host the event; he’ll be joined by Dist. IV Cm. Roque Vela, Jr., Dist. VII Cm. Jorge Vera and Dist. VIII Cm. Cindy Liendo, along with the City of Laredo and numerous sponsors, as well.  Participants and spectators can find parking at the park’s on the park’s western edge along McPherson Avenue. 

 “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.  Everything is absolutely free!*  Just show up with a kite, store-bought or homemade, and start flying! For those who are serious about their homemade kite, however, take notice of the following kite contest information.  A homemade kite contest will take place at 4 PM and will feature such interesting categories as longest/prettiest tail, most school spirit, best engineered, best use of recycled material, smallest/biggest, most unique and various age categories.  Celebrity judges will make the determination of all entrants.  All are welcome to enter.

 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. Of course, UnitedHealthcare and Doctors Hospital will also be promoting a healthy living message by distributing information and offering BMI tests.  Kids can also enjoy Safety Town, thanks to AEP Texas, a model community that teaches power safety line; sponsors AT&T and CenterPoint Energy will echo that same message.

 “Our mission is to help people live healthier lives by ensuring access to high quality health care services. United Healthcare is a proud supporter of the 5th Annual Spring Break Kite Festival,” said Carolina Cantu, Community Outreach Coordinator for the UnitedHealthcare.

 A community favorite, the petting zoo and pony rides, will be one of the main attractions featured, thanks to sponsors LAN, Inc. and State Farm Agent Manuel Gomez, III.   However, if you or your little ones are looking for a little more exhilaration, then the carnival rides and jumping castles sponsored by the Laredo Firefighters Union #872, and the Laredo Police Officers Association will do just nicely.

 Additionally, promoting safety and enhancing the relationship that all local law enforcement agencies have with the community is another focus of the annual Kite Event, with several activities geared toward safety and protection.  Showing off their all terrain vehicles will be the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs, who will also be distributing books to attendees. Both the Laredo Police Department and Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar will feature the KidID program, which collects children’s fingerprints, all next to the sheriff’s Mobile Command Center. The Laredo Fire Department will bring the Fire Safety House, which teaches kids how to safely recognize and escape a fire in a home.

 “The Laredo Police Department is there to promote child ID safety, as well as to promote our organization and our relationship with the community,” said Sergeant Roberto Medina, who spearheads the LPD Community Relations Unit.  “We want kids to know that the Laredo Police officers, in fact, all of our local law enforcement agencies, are people they can trust and look up to, people who are protecting them and the community.”

 “Fresh air and outdoor activity is a great way to encourage a healthy lifestyle and reduce stress. We are excited to participate in the City of Laredo’s 5^th Annual Spring Break Kite Festival and look forward in promoting the health and safety activities the event highlights.  Enjoying the outdoors is also a cost-effective way to not only exercise, but to come together as a family,” said “Super” Dave Gonzalez, senior program director for Big Buck Country, part of Guerra Communication, official media sponsor for the event.  Lamar Advertising is also providing in-kind contribution for the festival.

 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 hay rides and games, courtesy of the City of Laredo Parks & Leisure Services Department and birdhouse building and wildflower seed planting thanks to Keep Laredo Beautiful. Great music with the classic styling of everyone’s favorite DJ, Rule Garcia, so everyone can have a fun-filled afternoon, will fill the park’s air.  Additionally, organizers hope to film a world-record showing of the Harlem Shake at 5 PM.  Finally, if that isn’t enough, be sure to catch the car show by the Pure Envy Car Club.

 Thanks to Council Members Vela, Vera and Liendo, the Laredo Police Department Community Relations Unit and Big Buck and Z-93, a limited amount of bubbles, pizzas, popcorn, hot dogs and sodas will be given away throughout the day.

 And again, absolutely everything – EVERYTHING – is free!

 Running around flying a kite does work up an appetite, so feel free to bring a picnic basket with your favorite snacks and refreshments (no alcohol or bar-be-que pits are allowed), along with blankets, tents and chairs and sit back to enjoy the lazy, picnic atmosphere. 

 *Chick- fil-A North Laredo will be giving away coupons, games and prizes, as well as selling their famous chicken sandwiches, while the City of Laredo Parks Youth Committee will sell pickles, candy, frito pie, nachos and the like.   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.

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