Rockport Kite Festival

NEWS Release

City of Rockport ∙ 2751 SH 35 N Bypass ∙  Rockport, Texas 78382 ∙ (361) 729-2213

For Immediate Release Contact: Brittany Elkins, Parks & Leisure Services

April 20, 2022 Phone: (361) 727-2158

City to Sponsor Annual Kite Festival

ROCKPORT, TX – The City of Rockport has taken over the responsibility for the implementation of the annual Kite Festival from the Rockport Cultural Arts District. This annual event will be held on Saturday, April 30 from 10 am – 5 pm at the Rockport Festival Grounds, adjacent to Rockport Beach.

According to Rick Martinez, director of Parks and Leisure Services, the City recently learned that the Rockport Cultural Arts District (RCAD) would no longer be sponsoring this event. After talking internally and with RCAD Director Jennifer Day, the Parks Department felt they wanted to continue this popular event for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.

“The Rockport Cultural Arts District brought this program to Rockport several years ago and it was very well-received by the community,” Martinez noted. “Due to covid concerns the festival was canceled several times and the Arts District chose to move forward with another programming. This is why we decided to step up.”

A free, family event, the Kite Festival provides the opportunity to view, make and fly kites. An exotic array of kites will be on display, as well as demonstrations by professional kite pilots. Among the other offerings are children’s art and crafts booth, including making their own paper kites; vendors; and food trucks.

The American Kitefliers Association notes the first use of a kite goes back almost 3,000 years with the first written account documented in 200 B.C. Over the years, kite usage has ranged from visual enjoyment to military and sports usage and meteorological/scientific uses to design and sports competition.

For more information contact the Parks Department at 361-727-2158.