Visitors to Ocean City, Maryland will get the opportunity to soar to new heights this weekend at the Maryland International Kite Expo.
Hosted by Ocean City and The Kite Loft, the expo, which will be held on the Boardwalk at 4th and 5th streets, will run from Friday through Sunday and feature multiple events throughout the weekend. Events such as sport kite demonstrations and kite flying tutorials for different experience levels will be just a few of the kite activities on schedule.
On Fifth Street, the Mid-Atlantic Stunt Kite Championships will also be taking place during the weekend, featuring some of the top stunt kite fliers. Competitors will take part in precision events and ballet events, where kites are flown to music.
Jay Knerr of The Kite Loft said this is the 23rd time the expo has been held in Ocean City. Knerr said the fact that there aren’t many kite-related events around the area helps with the expo’s appeal.
“Kite events are few and far in between,” Knerr said. “This is something people don’t see every day and people just love to sit on the boardwalk and watch the kites.”
There will also be family related events and free children’s games and activities. But one of the big draws is the Giant Kite Show.
Knerr said that the event brings kites around to showcase different styles and shapes of kites made, including animals such as alligators and whales. Knerr also said the show gives families the chance to relax and enjoy the boardwalk while watching the festivities.
“Families also have the opportunity to jump in and fly a kite as well,” Knerr said. “You combine all these events and it’s cool to see families who love to come out and see hundreds of kites.”
Schedule of Events
(All Mid-Atlantic Stunt Kite Championships events to take place at 5th St)
Friday, April 28
Sport Kite Demo 5th St
MASKC – Add Day 5th St
Giant Kite Show 4th St
Learn To Fly – All Day 6th St
Saturday, April 29
Sport Kite Demo 5th St
Giant Kite Show 4th St
MASKC – All Day 5th St
Sport Kite Demo 5th St
Learn To Fly 6th St
Sunday, April 30
Sport Kite Demos – All Day 5th St
MASKC – All Day 5th St
Giant Kite Show 4th St
Free Stunt Kite Lessons 6th St
Saturday, April 29
8:30 AM Pre-flight meeting
9:00 AM MIP – Masters Individual Precision
9:30 AM NIP / EIP – Novice / Experienced Individual Precision
10:30 AM OPMP/OPMB – Open Multiline Pairs Precision/Ballet
11:30 PM OIOU – Open Individual Outdoor Unlimited
1:00 PM NMB / EMB Novice / Experienced Multi-Line Ballet
2:00 PM MIB – Masters Individual Ballet
Sunday, April 30
8:30 AM Pre-Flight Meeting
9:00 AM EPP – Experienced Pairs Precision
9:30 AM NMP / EMP – Novice / Experienced Multi-Line Precision
10:15 AM MMP – Masters Multi-Line Precision
11:00 AM EIB/NIB – Experienced/Novice Individual Dual-Line Ballet
12:00 PM MMB – Masters Multi-Line Ballet
1:00 PM EPB / MPB – Experienced / Masters Pair Ballet
2:00 PM OTMB / OTT – Open Team Multi-Line Baller / Open Team Dual-Line Ballet
For more information about the expo, click here.
