Festival of the Wind 2010 a great success.

11th May 2010, the morning was fine and nary a breath of wind stirred the small beachside town of Emu Park. Organizers of the annual Festival of the Wind were very nervous, as no wind means the whole focus of the day is lost.

By 9:00 am with only a couple of hours to go there were a few puffs but hardly anything to launch any but the very lightest of kites. Certainly the huge and impressive creations must remain cloaked in the nylon carry bags.

Winner of the 2010 Rokkaku

As the nerves jittered the breeze also fluttered a little until by around 10:00 am some of the lighter kites were beginning to appear in the Fishermans Beach skyline. The breeze gradually became a wind and soon there was the most impressive display of kites ever seen at one time in the Emu Park sky. Alien squid surveyed the terrestrial beach expanse. A huge crab gazed down at thousands of soldier crabs who buried into the sand lest they be devoured by an unknown predator from the sky. Huge dog and even Nemo himself thrilled all the young and young at heart. High flying, low flying and fast flying kites were all out to add to the spectacle.

A quadrazillion camera flash card electrons scurried to their cards to record and preserve the spectacle. My own camera recorded over a thousand slices of the day, waiting for me to send them on their way to the web site to show off what happened during the flights and Rokkaku fights.

Hopefull Rokkaku pilots vied for the grand prize, With that honour eventually being taken by The Great Ice Creamery” from Yeppoon. The new owners have continued the years of support from the business.

Hundreds of sand sculptors headed to the beach to impress us with their creative flair by designing and building many stunning art forms. The winning entries were awarded great prizes.

The entertainment alley to rival any country show offered rides, slides and all the fun of the fair. The dodgems seen here for the first time were popular all day with many opting for the 2 hour tickets. Laughing clowns taunted everyone as they passed daring them to have a go, Fresh fairy floss was enjoyed by the children and probably took many an adult back to childhood when they pestered their parents for the cotton wool like treat.

Delroy and Joseph collect marjet fees.

If you went home hungry it was all your own fault as there was lots of stalls ready to tempt. The lions club offered soft drinks and beaut steak burger and Al’s famous chips cooked just so with the right amount of crunch.

The day was ended by the music of our own Saxman, Ross, the Dolphin Line dancers, Amanda’s Yeppoon choir, and then finally a resounding spectacle of fireworks sponsored by Wide Bay building society.

It was a thrilling day for everyone and very tiring for the dozens of Emu Park Lions club members and the many helpers and supporters. There was so much activities it could have filled the whole weekend. I doubt I would have survived though.

 You can find some more pictures from the day HERE.      Previous years photos HERE.

This fireworks reminded of a celestial scene.

Please click on this link to view our sponsor’s page.

Emu Park Lions and our sponsors make this great family day possible.  We do not charge an entry fee or even ask for a gold coin donation.  Just come along and join in the day  and have  fun.    On behalf of the regional community,  Emu Park Lions would like to thank our many sponsors for their support.  If you require  a service that one of our sponsors  can provide,  please show your appreciation and  give them an opportunity to serve you.

Come fly a kite and much much more!

Since 1999 the Emu Park Lions Club Festival of the Wind has grown as a major attraction for families and kite enthusiasts from around the region.  This event is a fun family day for enjoyment by families and their children.  Kit Kites can be purchased for just $ 5.  Helpers will be available to assist in putting the kite together.  Art materials you can use to decorate your kite will be on hand. You can then launch your very own personalised kite into the sky.

While kite flying is the focus for the festival, we have many other attractions such as the Picnic Markets for the Mums and Dads and  free beach competitions with great prizes for the kids  to enter.  A free entertainment program later in the day is followed by the closing fireworks at dusk.   The carnival rides are always a popular attraction.  Two hour and multi ride (8 ride) tickets will be available to help keep the cost down for families.

Emu Park Picnic Markets are part of the Festival.

Over 100 stalls to browse

It all finishes up with a real blast!  Thanks to Wide Bay Australia, the fireworks are on again!! You would have to go a long way to see a better fireworks display. Keep your eye on the singing ship at dusk. See you all there.

Rokkaku Kites Put up a Huge Fight.

Last year the Rokkaku fighting kites event was the biggest lineup ever seen at Festival of the Wind since the event began years ago.

This year will see the winners defending their title against some stiff competition. The local Emu Park Online, VTE Computersand Jeff Quigley of StudioQuigs have a personal score to settle in the air. This should be interesting.

For more pics from the last event you can drop in to see the Photo Gallery.