![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/11\/kiteactualbest_23399.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDESPITE COVID-19 restrictions halting usual festivities of the annual Surf Coast Kite Festival, children and their parents braved the wild wind to fly kites.<\/p>\n
The kite festival has become a calendar staple with crowds turning out to previous events at Cosy Corner to enjoy face painting, music, glitter, kids and colourful kites.<\/p>\n
Festival organiser Emily Torney adapted to restrictions to keep the event running this year, opting for a community-wide kite flying day instead.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere wasn\u2019t a set location\u201d Ms Torney said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a kite flying day, we just encouraged everyone to get outside and fly their kites where they were.\u201d<\/p>\n
From Torquay to Jan Juc, kites were expertly hoisted in the air by enthusiastic pilots.<\/p>\n
Ms Torney said the conditions on the public kite flying day were less than ideal with winds of 30 km\/h recorded by midday.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wind was extraordinary,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The festival is a community initiative set up by Jan Juc Pre School and its supporters to raise awareness for the education centre, which is serenely set amongst the trees in Bob Petitt Reserve.<\/p>\n
In turn, the festival acts as a fundraiser. Ms Torney said Torquay Toys found a new way to help too.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey sold kites in the lead up and they opened up on the Sunday of the event \u2013 they range from $20 through to expert ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end of the day, the main thing is that we are keeping momentum going and awareness for next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DESPITE COVID-19 restrictions halting usual festivities of the annual Surf Coast Kite Festival, children and their parents braved the wild wind to fly kites. The kite festival has become a calendar staple with crowds turning out to previous events at Cosy Corner to enjoy face painting, music, glitter, kids and colourful kites. Festival organiser Emily […]<\/p>\n