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The Tulsa Wind Riders' passion for high-flying fun.
If you happen to drive by 43rd Street and Garnett Road on any given weekend, you will find fighter kites, sport kites, revolution kites and power kites soaring above the big, open field where members of the Tulsa Wind Riders hold ground.
The Wind Riders have flown kites on Saturdays and Sundays since the group first congregated in the late 1980s to socialize and share their passion for kite flying.
Richard Dermer, a member since the group’s beginnings, says the Wind Riders don’t conduct “business” meetings, there are no dues and membership is open to anyone with an interest in kites. They fly for the fun of it, and it’s free to fly.
On May 9 and 10, the Tulsa Wind Riders will host the 16th annual Festival of Kites at the flying field. Last year the event attracted more than 500 spectators, and this year the Wind Riders expect even more kite fliers.
Wind Rider Catherine “Cat” Gabrel says there will be a food vendor, kites for sale and a kite hospital, where kite owners can take their kites for repair.
The Wind Riders also will offer a station for kids to make their own kites out of bamboo sticks, transparent tape, trash bags, magic markers and tracing patterns.
“A kite is a flying machine,” Gabrel says. “It uses wind as its energy, and the design of the kite funnels that energy to make it fly. Adding your art to the kite is a way to express yourself. To watch your kite fly puts all of that together with fun. It’s very empowering for kids of all ages.”
For more information about the Tulsa Wind Riders’ Festival of Kites, call Cat Gabrel, (405) 624-6231, or Larry Stiles, 630-9334.
