ST. GEORGE – Every year for 14 years, Washington County School District students earn kites by following a reading plan throughout the year. And they are rewarded with one of the county’s most splendid springtime events, the Dixie Power (formerly Dixie Escalante) Kite Festival. This year, 2,300 students completed their reading challenge and were rewarded with their very own kite.
The SunRiver community in St. George opens up its heart and rolls out its greens for one beautiful Saturday of happy mayhem of kite flying and family festivities. This year was no exception and the weather man served up a perfect day of warm wind, blue and sunny skies.
Last year, the Kite Festival earned $30,000 for the Washington County School District Foundation. This year, Pam Graf, foundation director and school liaison for the festival, said they managed to do it again.
The $30,000 earned will go straight to the Washington County School District. Along with that, $600 will be given to the classroom of the teacher with the most kite-rewarded students. An assembly will be arranged at the winning school at the end of the school year and the kite festival committee will present them with the prize award along with other prizes.
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Videocast by Sarafina Amodt, St. George News
“We always pray for wind,” said Monty Thurber, the Dixie Power Kite Festival director. “More wind, not too much wind, but enough to fly a kite.”
Last year it was still and hot with temperatures in the 90s. This year, temperatures ran in the low 70s, more tolerable for those that would come and stay for the better part of the day.
“The weather is much cooler,” said Graf, “it’s so fun out here.”
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Dixie Power Kite Festival at SunRiver Golf Course, St. George, Utah, April 20, 2013 | Photo by Sarafina Amodt, St. George News
Dixie Power Kite Festival at SunRiver Golf Course, St. George, Utah, April 20, 2013 | Photo by Sarafina Amodt, St. George news
Dixie Power Kite Festival at SunRiver Golf Course, St. George, Utah, April 20, 2013 | Photo by Sarafina Amodt, St. George news
Related posts
Highflying ahead: Dixie Escalante Kite Festival, The Hubcaps
For a more in-depth look at the Kite Festival: Kite Festival Rewards Kids, Raises Funds and Delights Community
For an example of the Kite Festival’s benefit: Washington County School District Foundation to receive $30,000 from Kite Festival
Highflying ahead: Dixie Escalante Kite Festival, The Hubcaps
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That was a great day for flying kites! There was even a good sized dust devil that busted across the kite field sometime mid-afternoon. It was spectacular to watch it tossing the kites around, woot!