April 8, 2023

By Blake Frye

Metropolitan Community College’s Flights of Fancy Mega-Kite Festival will be held noon-5 p.m. Sunday, April 16, at the MCC-Longview campus, 500 S.W. Longview Road, Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

In its 15th year, the free event features the kites of Great American Kites & Events, which will take flight over the expansive and picturesque lawn of MCC-Longview during National Kite Month.

Just look to the skies to be mesmerized by awe-inspiring mega-kites, power kites, stunt kites and more including the world’s largest windsock — three stories high and 200 feet long! Kids and adults delight in seeing familiar characters in (humongous!) kite form, like Iron Man, Clifford the Big Red Dog and a flying pig with wings, among many others.

Participants can also enjoy inflatable games, face painting, children’s activities and a wide variety of refreshments for purchase from nearly a dozen food trucks. Attendees can bring their own kites to fly, or buy kites on site while supplies last.

About 16,000 people attended the 2022 event after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Ample parking for MCC-Longview Flights of Fancy guests will be available on the north and east sides of the campus.

The support of the presenting sponsor, Saint Luke’s East Hospital, and other sponsors helps MCC keep the festival free for the community. Sponsor donations also enable the College to apply additional proceeds from the kite festival toward student scholarships.

The family-friendly event started in 2006 when former MCC-Longview President Fred Grogan had a vision to invite the community to Longview to fly kites and enjoy the beautiful, wide-open green space on the northeast corner of campus.

Flights of Fancy will go on rain or shine; however, in the case of severe weather where thunder and lightning are present, the festival will be canceled. In that event, the news will be shared on MCC’s Twitter account, @MCCKansasCity.

For more information, visit mcckc.edu/kitefest.