The Annual Bermuda Good Friday KiteFest is preparing for take off at Horseshoe Bay in Southampton.

“Kite Flying has long been one of Bermuda’s oldest and most cherished traditions and The Bermuda Good Friday KiteFest celebrates this legacy by inviting families, visitors and locals to enjoy kite-flying in a fun and festive atmosphere,” said Deidra-Lee Bean of the Chewstick Foundation.

“We are honoured to have the opportunity to steward this event and are very happy for the outpouring of support that has allowed us to focus on further enhancing the event to take it toward the national and international audience.”

The Bermuda Good Friday KiteFest is completely free, with music and activities starting at 10am.

“There are plenty of ways to get involved and win fantastic prizes,” said Ms Bean.

KiteFest will feature the Island’s largest kite competition with several categories including Best Boxy (Fennel Sticks), Biggest Kite, Smallest Kite, Best Design, Best Traditional Kite, Best Innovative Kite Design, Loudest Kite, and even the Ugliest Kite.

The contest is wide-open, just come through with your kite and enter right there on the sand. It is free to enter and the grand prize is a year of free internet courtesy of Logic Communications.

The event will also showcase a diverse cross-section of Bermuda talent including traditional folk music, acoustic reggae, contemporary gospel and African Dance.

Performers will include dancers The Bermuda Squad, ukulelist Mike Hind, steel pannist Paul Smith, rapper Haz, acoustic reggae artist Rivah and more.

There will also be a competition for Bermuda’s Best Fishcake sponsored by Bermuda’s Best.

“This will not only be a chance to win bragging rights for a year, but to walk away with a substantial prize as well,” said Ms Bean.

To enter bring one fishcake to the beach to be sampled by KiteFest judges.

Traditional Bermudian cuisine will be available from vendors on the beach so that visitors and locals alike can enjoy Codfish Cakes and Hot Cross Buns to savour the true flavour of the season.

The Chewstick Foundation is hoping to make this event a fundraiser to assist them in continuing their work in the community, so while KiteFest is free, there will be volunteers on hand for those who wish to learn more about The Chewstick Foundation or make a donation to this Bermuda Registered Charity.

In addition, they are encouraging anyone who is interested in helping to make the day fun and safe for all, to contact them before the event.

There will be food, entertainment, face painting, an Easter Egg hunt and plenty of games.

For more information like Bermuda Good Friday KiteFest on Facebook, visit The Chewstick Foundation website, www.chewstick.org, call them at 292-2439 or e-mail info@chewstick.org, with questions or for updates on prizes, sponsors and ways to get involved.

The event will be on April 18 from 10am to 6pm at Horseshoe Bay, South Road, Southampton. Entry is free.