7th Annual Piedmont Kite Festival

Kites are set to fly sky high during the 7th annual Piedmont Kite Festival on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jack Dalton Park in Henry County. Hosted by the Virginia Museum of Natural History, Henry County Parks and Recreation and community partners, the Piedmont Kite Festival encourages residents to get outside, become active, and enjoy the spring weather.

The festival includes kite building stations, games, crafts, face-painting, temporary tattoos, and live music by Kim and Jimbo Cary, who perform using all-natural instruments that children can play alongside them. Of course, festival-goers are encouraged to bring their own kites with them, too.

“The kite festival is a great way to kick-off spring and give families a wonderful way to spend the day together outside,” said Christy Deatherage, the museum’s southern Virginia outreach education coordinator and coordinator of the festival.

The festival is a part of the museum’s Martinsville and Henry County Community Nature Network, which works with community partners to help residents reconnect with the outdoors.

“Martinsville and Henry County have a wonderful network of civic and public organizations that are devoted to providing top quality services and opportunities to this community,” said Deatherage. “This year’s festival wouldn’t be possible, if it wasn’t for the help and support of so many organizations and individuals."

If necessary, a Kite Festival rain date is set for March 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jack Dalton Park. Any change to the schedule will be posted on the museum's website at www.vmnh.net.

The Martinsville and Henry County Community Nature Network is led by the Virginia Museum of Natural History due to its commitment to facilitate outdoor educational opportunities.

“A significant aspect of the museum’s programming involves incorporating outdoor elements,” said Dr. Denny Casey, director of education and public programs at the museum. “We believe it’s important to reconnect everyone with nature from educational, health, preservation, and stewardship perspectives. Studies frequently show a disconnect with nature, especially in young children, and events like the Kite Festival are ways we hope to help counter that."