Soaring High: Annual Kite Festival Returns to Lewes

Norah Block ‘26

Managing News Editor

The 57th annual Kite Festival was held at the Cape Henlopen State Park on Friday, April 18. In 1968 the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to bring the Great Delaware Kite Festival to Lewes. All activities and entries are free. 

Registration for the kite competition began at 10 a.m. with time for commenters to practice and warm up. The kite competition was split into three age categories: children ages up to 12, teens ages 13 to 17, and adults 18 and up. The children and teens competition then started promptly at 11:30 a.m. The adult kite competition then followed at 1 p.m. The events then ended with a medal ceremony for the winners. 

Junior at Cape Lauren Marchetti loves to fly kites, “Me and family go to the festival every year and compete. We mostly compete in honor of my PopPop, who loved flying kites. He passed away in 2019 and it’s our way to honor him. This year, we will use my PopPop’s old kite to compete with.”

Judging was based on multiple categories. Kite flyers are first judged by the type of kite they were flying home-made or store-bought. Second was the technical execution of moves with the kite. Participants could also win special awards such as The Special Class, Most Senior Flyer, Youngest Flyer, Flyer Furthest From Home, Smallest Kite, Largest Kite, and The Highest Kite Award.

In addition to the kite competition, the festival included an Easter egg hunt, where 5,000 candy-filled eggs were hidden. This hunt was limited to children under the age of 12. No registration was required however participants were encouraged to come earlier than the start time of 11 a.m. The hunt ended with the appearance of the Easter Bunny. Junior Bridgett Cole brought her younger cousin to the easter egg hunt, “Me and Lucy had the best time. They really make the experience magical for the kids.”

The 2025 Lewes Annual Kite Festival winner information is not yet available. The full list of winners will be posted at leweschamber.com

Kite flyers soared to new heights in the annual Rehoboth Beach Kit Festival Competition.