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New Era Kite Festival flies high

Groups of people could be seen flying kites large and small by the New Era One Room Schoolhouse Saturday. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

MINERAL WELLS — The weather cooperated Saturday and even pitched in some winds to celebrate the annual New Era Kite Festival in Mineral Wells.

“We really lucked out with wind,” said Max Barker, president of New Era Kite Club.

This year was the 11th year for the event which is put on by the club.

“It has been kind of slow today, but I am so glad to get out and fly kites with the community,” said Barker.

The event normally offers inflatables and train rides, but with coronavirus concerns the group was unable to bring in those activities.

Max Barker, president of New Era Kite Club, flies a large octopus kite at the New Era Kite Festival in Mineral Wells Saturday. (Photo by Madeline Scarbough)

The club gave out free kites to the first 50 kids in attendance, and for $3, children were also able to build their own kite to fly.

According to Baker, all the funds raised go to the New Era One Room Schoolhouse for events and renovations.

People of all ages were out enjoying flying kites.

“My son and I are here visiting family from North Carolina, and we enjoy flying kites,” said Douglas McCumber.

McCumber said he has been flying kites regularly for four years now.

Peter McCumber and his grandson Wyatt McCumber, 5, fly a kite at the New Era Kite Festival in Mineral Wells Saturday. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

“Kite flying is a great sport if the wind cooperates,” he said. “It doesn’t cost a lot to get started; it gets you outside and is a fun way to get some exercise in.”

Also enjoying getting outside for an event was the Hager family.

Maddison Hager, 8, who is the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi Cultural Festival Ambassador for 2020, said she was really happy the event was not canceled.

“It was kind of scary to fly the kite, because it was hard to hold onto, but it has been really fun too,” she said.

Lillian Hager, 4, colors her handmade kite in the New Era One Room Schoolhouse before taking it out to try and fly it. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

Maddison Hager, 8, who is the Mid-Ohio Valley Multi Cultural Festival Ambassador for 2020, learns to fly a kite with her mother Jessica Hager helping. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

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