The popular Harrington Kite Festival is set to reach new heights when it returns this summer.

The free family friendly festival returns to the beautiful Bellaport Marina in Harrington on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 August.

Taking place from 11am – 4pm, the event will include a huge kite display from international touring company and professional kite enthusiasts, ‘SmileFactor10’. Originally from Kendal, founders of the company, Craig and Sue bought their first kite back in 2006. Since then their collection has grown not only in size but also in scale, with their first giant kite – a Peter Lynn gecko measuring nearly 100ft – being added in 2012.

Once Craig got to grips with an industrial sewing machine, there was no stopping him. He designed and built 32ft hippo, followed by a record-breaking-size purple teddy bear called Oscar and a giant manta ray, lovingly handcrafted for Harrington Kite Festival from tents left behind at Solfest Music Festival.

Today their collection includes a whole host of other characters, including a manta ray, a multi-coloured rainbow cuttlefish, a giant red and black guppy fish, a 45ft scuba diver and their biggest kite to date, a 120ft octopus, previously owned by the Al Farsi Kite Team. At the end of 2017, SmileFactor10 became the proud owners of one of only six, super-ultra-light manta ray kites in the world. Perfect for very light wind days, this kite has proven to be the star of the show on more than one occasion.

Throughout the day, the experts on the SmileFactor10 team will be on hand to show visitors how to fly their own kites, guiding you through flying techniques to show you how to get the best results and experience the thrill of flying with the professionals.

In what is set to be an uplifting day all round, even teddy bears can take to the the sky, as little ones send their favourite cuddly toy soaring on the zip wire. And in addition to the spectacular kite display they can also enjoy a fun fair (there is a small charge for rides), children’s entertainment, and face painting. An array of local stalls will be selling food, drink, gifts, crafts and other Cumbrian fare for the grown-ups to browse.

If you’re looking for a summer holiday boredom-buster, Workington Town Council are also offering free kite making workshops in the week leading up to the event. Held at Harrington Youth Club, on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 August at there will be two hour-long workshops at 11am and 2pm, where children of all ages can learn how to and make their own kite to fly with pride at the festival.

Travel:
Why not beat the traffic and get the bus or train to Harrington? The platform for Harrington Station and the bus stop are both a 2 minute walk from the festival site. Check out www.traveline.info for your journey options

To book a place on the Harrington Kite Festival workshops contact 01900 702986 or visit www.visitworkington.co.uk/kitefestival