Each year, the skies near a small central Nebraska town fill with movement and color during a celebrated kite-flying event.
By Karen Lee Ensley
July 2020
Look! There’s a flying purple octopus, and it’s larger than life. Over there, a horse is galloping across the sky. Do you see the brightly colored fish hovering in the air? These creatures really are soaring over the rural Nebraska prairie. There’s even a yellow whale that’s bigger than an RV.
If you plan a trip to the Cornhusker State, be sure to include the Nebraska Sandhills on your itinerary. Visit the hand-planted Nebraska National Forest near Halsey. And if you’re in the area in early September, don’t miss the opportunity to witness amazing flying spectacles at an annual event known as the Callaway Kite Flight.
Callaway is a small town in central Nebraska. A few miles away, 200 acres of scenic prairie are transformed every Labor Day weekend into a showcase for some of the world’s most extraordinary kites.
The Kite Flight welcomes everyone to come fly a kite, or simply to relax and enjoy watching an astounding variety of kites dipping and weaving through the sky. Adding to the excitement, the Kite Flight is sanctioned by the American Kitefliers Association (AKA), the largest association of kite fliers in the world, with thousands of members in 25 countries. Professional kite fliers bring their spectacular kites to soar over the open prairie in the abundant Nebraska wind.
These aren’t your ordinary kites; some measure an astounding 135 feet long. Because of their size, the gigantic kites often are anchored to the ground with ropes and stakes, and it may take several people to get them into the air.
Once deemed a wild and crazy idea, the Callaway Kite Flight was established by the late Connie May, who developed the idea of bringing kite fliers and spectators together for a fun fly. She contacted her local chamber of commerce, as well as the AKA, and wrote a grant to obtain state tourism funds to promote her idea. Local citizens enthusiastically volunteered to help, and in 1991, colorful kites began flying in the breeze at the inaugural Kite Flight.
The special event has lured visitors to Callaway since the first kites flew nearly 30 years ago. Now when guests arrive, they drive onto the field through a flag-lined entrance. The flags represent visitors who have come from at least 29 U.S. states and 21 countries. Despite its growing popularity, the event has maintained a casual atmosphere, with a few vendors offering food; souvenirs; and, of course, kites.
It’s also a delightful family event. Children are thrilled to launch their own kites and watch them fly through the air with ease. Parents can join the fun as well or lounge leisurely nearby while watching their children and the array of whimsical kites.
A special highlight for children is the candy drop. A bag of goodies is flown on a kite high into the air. Suddenly, the bag is pulled open and the candy scatters across the ground. Children race to gather their favorite treats in an entertaining free-for-all that’s sure to bring smiles from kids and adults alike.
While children savor the delicious morsels, above them simple kites share the sky with enormous, fanciful versions. They all seem to float carefree, almost dancing in the air, tempting everyone’s inner child to go fly a kite!
Area Camping
Hidden Valley Campground
79747 Arnold River Road
Callaway, NE 68825
Reservations: (308) 848-3302
https://hiddenvalleyoutfitter.com/nebraska-hidden-valley-campground
Nebraska National Forest at HalseyBessey Recreation Complex and Campground
Bessey Ranger District
40637 River Loop Road
Halsey, NE 69142
(308) 533-2257
Reservations: (877) 444-6777
www.recreation.gov
Tomahawk Park
1620 South B St.
Broken Bow, NE 68822
One block north of Nebraska Highway 2 and 15th Street
Parks Superintendent: (308) 872-2003
www.cityofbrokenbow.org/parks-and-recreation
Victoria Springs State Recreation Area
43400 State Highway 21A S.
Anselmo, NE 68813
Reservations: (308) 749-2235
http://outdoornebraska.gov/victoriasprings/
If You Go
The Callaway Kite Flight is held on Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend. At press time, the 2020 event was still scheduled. Bring chairs or blankets, and sunscreen.
Location: Foster Smith Field, 4 miles southeast of Callaway, Nebraska, along Highway 40.
Admission: Cash admission prices in 2019: $5 for adults; $3 for children under 16; $25 per family. Plenty of free parking is available in the field.
Contact: Callaway Chamber of Commerce
(308) 870-2808
https://callaway-ne.com/kite-flight