CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Every spring, the Dixie Power Kite Festival brings local families together to play in the sunshine and get kids excited about reading books. It’s the largest kite festival in the state and Southern Utah’s premier fundraising event in support of early childhood literacy.
This year’s kite festival returns to the Encampment Mall at Utah Tech University on Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. As always, it’s free to attend. Supported by Dixie Power alongside more than 30 community partners, including presenting sponsor Nets on Fire, all proceeds will be donated to the Washington County School District Foundation.
“This event promotes literacy in Washington County by getting everyone involved: schools, kids, parents and businesses in the community,” said Steven Young, communications specialist for Dixie Power. “It’ll be a fun, exciting place to be.”
Kite enthusiasts of all ages are invited to attend and fly their own kites in a designated area. The kite festival also features vendor booths, food trucks, live entertainment, games and activities, including bounce houses, a zip line and a rock climbing wall. The Washington County School District Foundation will be selling a variety of children’s books for just $1 each.
In early January, all of Washington County’s approximately 16,000 elementary school students receive a reading chart and are challenged to read books at home. Students record their daily reading on the chart over the next 13 weeks and have their parent or guardian sign it.
Then, they can bring their completed chart to the kite festival to be rewarded for their efforts with a kite, a book or $10 worth of tickets to on-site activities. Bahama Buck’s in St. George is also offering a free shaved ice to every student who turns in a reading chart. Cash awards will be given to the classrooms with a participation rate of 50% or higher.
The kite festival was founded with a four-part mission to:
- Provide a wholesome, uplifting, family-oriented event where everyone can participate regardless of experience, training, financial means or physical abilities.
- Promote reading as a fundamental basis of education for every child of elementary school age.
- Support education with additional funding and make that funding available to selected participating schools at the discretion of the Washington County School District Foundation.
- Patronize members of the business community whose financial sponsorship makes the festival possible.
Dixie Power first partnered with the Washington County School District Foundation in 2000 to promote reading and give back to the community through a fun, family-friendly event. Over the past 23 years, the kite festival has touched generations of families and tens of thousands of children by raising over $750,000 to support local literacy programs.
“These desperately needed funds will be used for literacy initiatives throughout the county,” Schofield said. “That will make a real impact on the lives of teachers and students in our communities.”
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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Event details
- What: Dixie Power Kite Festival.
- When: Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Where: Utah Tech University Encampment Mall, 225 E. 700 South, St. George.
- Tickets: Free.
- Resources: Website.
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