Hundreds of kites take to the sky in Saturday’s festival

  The expansive ball field at the American Memorial Park was transformed into an amusement park on Saturday with hundreds flying their kites for the Marianas Winds Kite Festival and Cultural Food Fair.

The event, presented by Brilliant Star School, drew amateur and regular kite makers and fliers who took over the clear blue skies at the park with kites of various shapes and sizes for the chance to win trophies, IT&E goodies, and bragging rights.

Ramil Eustaquio of Garapan won the Highest Flying Kite award for his homemade kite built out of old newspaper and thread seen soaring high above Hyatt Regency Saipan.

“We’re happy about our victory,” said Eustaquio, who was accompanied by his 9-year-old son Gian Carlo. “I will tell my friends about this,” said the excited youngster.

Christian Dela Cruz, 5, won the Largest Kite for his crocodile kite, which he bought from National Office Supply about five years ago.

“He was very happy and excited about this event that he woke up at 5am,” Christian’s father, Darnel, told Saipan Tribune. “This kite festival is also a good exercise since it keeps you running to fly the kite. It’s also an opportunity to meet other people.”

Sisters Talia and Maryn Trianni bagged the Most Beautiful prize under the Purchased category for their dragon-shaped kite. The 11-year-old Talia said, “It’s my uncle from Texas who sent the kite to us. I’ve been coming to the festival ever since and I plan to join the contest again next year.”

Cid Mostales won in the Most Original and Smallest category for his 1”x1” kite made of plastic bag and credit card as the kite frame. He has been winning the award for three years in a row.

“We’ve been coming here as a family because it’s a good opportunity to spend time with them and have fun at the same time,” said Mostales, who was joined by daughter Ciuss and son Curtis. All three flew small homemade kites.

Other proud victors included Sebastian Bernardo for Most Whimsical-Purchased and Highest Flying-Purchased/Handmade categories; Anika Mafnas for the Most Beautiful-Handmade category for her kite made of newspapers; and Tim Brasuell for the Longest Tail-Purchased/Handmade category for his 40-foot kite tail.

Judges for the kite contests were school principal Richard Sikkel, Mei Demapan, and George Poquiz.

Saturday’s event wasn’t just about kites as there were also booths for face painting, games, and refreshments. A raffle draw gave away great prizes that included Kate Spade and Coach handbags and a brand new Motorola phone.

Sikkel said he was pleased with the great turnout. “At one point, the field was pretty full of people flying their kites. We’re eternally grateful to everyone who supported our event.”

The event’s sponsors were the American Memorial Park, Marianas Visitors Authority, Café at the Park, Super Fresh Market, Shenanigans, Shirley’s, Tan Holdings, Saipan Grand, IT&E, PIC, Elliott Systems, DFS, Big Dipper, Topnotch, Micronesian Brokers, D&Q, Mike Busby, Yoga Waves, school parents, and other volunteers.