Colorful kites, family activities and live entertainment will fill the skies above Birch Bay State Park when the annual Kids Kite Festival returns June 20-21.
Hosted by the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, the free two-day festival is expected to draw families from across Whatcom County for a weekend of kite flying, hands-on activities, food vendors and children’s entrepreneurship opportunities.
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 20, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at Birch Bay State Park, 7290 Birch Bay Drive. A Discover Pass is required for parking at the state park.
In addition to kite flying, visitors can enjoy food trucks, a vendor market, games and activities hosted by local organizations, and live entertainment presented by bp Cherry Point. The popular Wagon of Whimsey will perform both days, while the Kids Maker Market will give young entrepreneurs ages 8 to 16 an opportunity to sell handmade items in a real-world market setting.
Organizers say the Kids Maker Market is designed to help children gain experience setting up a booth, interacting with customers and managing money. Participants will also may attend a financial education class hosted by Banner Bank before the festival.
Families looking to avoid parking congestion can take advantage of a special Whatcom Transportation Authority shuttle service operating Saturday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., with stops at several locations throughout Birch Bay.
The festivities begin even before the kites take flight.
On Friday, June 19, organizers will host the Birch Bay Poker Run, a free family-friendly event where participants travel between checkpoints by bicycle, golf cart or on foot, collecting playing cards in hopes of building the best five-card poker hand and winning prizes.
The Kids Kite Festival has become one of Birch Bay’s signature summer events, bringing together residents and visitors to celebrate the start of the season along the waterfront.
