Kids, kites and color

A butterfly attempts to soar Saturday at the first annual Kids & Kites Festival in Quincy Saturday.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD

Two Kids & Kites Festival attendees try to catch wind with their plastic kites. Their speedy attempts were unsuccessful, and an adult ended up helping the two young attendees to get their kites floating.

A dragon dances in the sky Saturday at Lauzier Park during Quincy’s first annual Kids & Kites Festival.

Fist bumps are exchanged between Grant County Fire District 3’s Sparky the Dog and two young attendees. Sparky broke out the dance moves and had the crowd giggling.

A yellow kite trails behind an attendee of the Kids & Kites Festival in Quincy. Quincy Parks and Recreation handed out 100 free kites to attendees.

Arches of kites dance in the wind at Lauzier Park Saturday.

While some of the Kids & Kites attendees went for a run around the park, others went for a more relaxed Saturday to lounge and watch the kites fly.

An octopus and a bird float above Lauzier Park Saturday.

by NANCE BESTON
Staff Writer | April 30, 2026 3:20 AM

QUINCY — Quincy’s first annual Kids & Kites Festival arrived on a gust of spring wind Saturday, turning Lauzier Park into a sky‑high kaleidoscope of color, motion and pure kid joy.

With every breeze that swept across the grass, dragons, butterflies and bright geometric kites leapt upward. Children chased after them in zigzags, laughing as they tried to catch the wind. When the kites dipped too low and skidded into the grass, parents swooped in like pit crews – untangling string, adjusting plastic frames and sending their young pilots back into the fray.

Arches of kites lined the park, swaying with the music drifting from Pear Radio’s speakers. DJ Rafael Aguilar kept the soundtrack lively, blending English-language hits with upbeat Hispanic tracks that matched the festival’s energy.

“Smiles on people, families sharing good time … that was very rewarding,” Aguilar said. “You see parents with their kids helping them fly their kites. It’s quality family time.”

The giggles of children added their own sound to the music, creating a rhythm that carried across the park. Some families spread out picnic blankets and simply watched the sky – kites bobbing, dipping and soaring.

Quincy’s police and fire departments joined the fun, with Sparky the Fire Dog stealing the show as he wiggled, waved and danced for the crowd.

Aguilar said the turnout exceeded expectations, with families offering “many good comments” throughout the day.

He credited the city’s Parks and Recreation team – especially director Russ Harrington – for helping make the event possible.

“Really good team effort,” he said. “Since day one, they were always available.”

And while the kites eventually came down, there was already excitement for next year. Aguilar said organizers hope to work with the city again to make the festival “bigger and better.”