Kite fliers and kite watchers gathered this past weekend for the twenty-fourth annual Strawberry Fields Kite Festival. The skies above St. Thomas were filled with an amazing display of colourful kits as fliers enjoyed two sunny days on the large flying field at the corner of Sunset and John Wise Line south of St. Thomas. The free event had something for everyone, with face painting, kite making, balloons, craft vendors, refreshments and bubbles.
Above: Anna & Dad Brian at kite-making (row 1). Deb Gibson and Susan Gordon from St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital's Mental Health Program, along with Festival Organizer Anne Sloboda send the "Let's Talk About Stigma" kite up for it's second year of flying. It sported a new tail contributed by Clara Hughes when she visited St. Thomas on the “Clara’s Big Ride” tour aimed at helping to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness (rows 2&3). Thomas & Mom Jacqueline (row 5, left); Layka & Jen (row 5, right); Ethan (row 6).
The 2014 Festival ran 1-4pm on Saturday May 24th and Sunday May 25th. Find out more about the event at www.gothicdesign.ca/strafest.htm