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Kite flying called a soaring success in Enid

BY BRYAN PAINTER Comments 0
Published: September 11, 2009

ENID — Not just dozens, not just hundreds, but kites numbering in the thousands danced in the skies above Enid on Thursday in an attempt at a world record.

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An event titled W.O.W. Kites Over Enid attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the most kites in the air at one time.

When plans for the event began about 12 weeks ago, the record was 967 kites flown at one time set in August 2008 in Germany. However, this past summer the record was broken when children in the northern Gaza Strip flew 3,710 kites, according to the United Nations, sponsors of the event.

The effort was a fundraiser for Enid Habitat for Humanity and held in conjunction with a wind energy summit at Autry Technology Center.

At slightly after 1 p.m. Thursday, kites were ducking and diving amid winds of about 10 mph, which one kite enthusiast said is ideal.

When seeking such a record, documentation is required. So the total number of kites flown in Enid was not known soon after the event.

However, standing on a hill looking across on a field, Richard Dermer said it’s pretty safe to reason that this was the most kites in the air at one time in North America.

Dermer, of Stillwater and a three-time past president of the American Kitefliers Association, travels throughout the United States and internationally to kite festivals.

"The organization of this event was tremendous,” he said. "A lot of festivals would be envious of how this was handled.”

Multiple successes

Requirements specified one person-one kite and that the record is based on the number of kites in the air in a specific 30-second span.

Schools buses lined roads by the technology center and residents and kite enthusiasts parked in fields, some arriving hours before the attempt at the record.

"It has continued to amaze me how one little idea can continue to grow into total community involvement, excitement and enthusiasm,” said Stanley Hicks of Enid Habitat for Humanity. "We did this as a fundraiser and to promote wind energy in northwestern Oklahoma. The W.O.W. stands for wheat, oil and wind.”

Thursday’s event was successful as a fundraiser and in terms of promoting wind energy, Hicks said.

Going into Thursday, $70,000 in total sponsorships, including $53,000 in cash, had been raised for Habitat for Humanity, he said.

And across the field at the James W. Strate Center for Business Development, the wind energy summit attracted 37 wind industry executives from 15 companies, said summit organizer Brent Kisling, executive director for the Enid/Garfield County Development Alliance.

Not only do possibilities exist in terms of wind generation, but also manufacturing.

Those participating included former Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode, chief executive officer of the American Wind Energy Association.

"There are great opportunities here not only because of wind resources but also because this is a fabulous central location.”

The sight was a feast for the eyes. Although the sky was gray, the kite tails of lime green, zebra stripes as well as red, white and blue caught the attention of those flying kites and watching.

Twin sisters Elli and Emma Chase, 12, were among those piloting the white sled kites.

"When I think back on today I will probably remember how much fun this has been,” Elli said. "I’ll also remember the really cool kites.”