46th annual American Kitefliers Association Convention headed to Niagara Falls USA

Destination Niagara USA Press Release & Photo

The skies over Niagara County will come alive with color and creativity as the 46th annual American Kitefliers Association (AKA) Convention, annual meeting and Great Kite Competition comes to the Niagara Falls Convention Center and Gratwick Park in North Tonawanda from Monday, Sept. 29, through Saturday, Oct. 4.

More than 100 attendees from across the U.S., Canada and around the world will gather for workshops, competitions, and outdoor flying events. While many sessions are reserved for convention registrants, the public is invited to attend a variety of free events throughout the week. The public schedule of events includes:

√ Daily synchronized mass kite flying – 1 p.m. at Gratwick Park, North Tonawanda (Tuesday, Sept. 30-Saturday, Oct. 4)

√ Memorial fly – 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Gratwick Park, honoring kitefliers who have passed

√ Indoor kite competition – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Niagara Falls Convention Center

√ Kite art gallery – 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, and all-day Friday, Oct. 3, Niagara Falls Convention Center

√ Final day celebrations – 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Gratwick Park, featuring mass flights, kite battles, and a sport kite exhibition

Following the official convention, the Fly Niagara Kite Festival will take place at Gratwick Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, offering even more opportunities for the community to experience the artistry and excitement of kite flying.

Phillip Whitaker, president of the AKA and chair of the convention, shared, “We encourage the local community to come out and enjoy these events. People of all ages enjoy seeing kites flying, and it is a pleasure to bring this annual event to Niagara Falls USA for the first time.”

This year marks the first time the American Kitefliers Association has brought its annual convention to Niagara Falls USA, highlighting the destination as a world-class setting for unique events and gatherings. For more information on the event, visit www.kite.org or follow the American Kitefliers Association annual convention on Facebook.

The mission of Destination Niagara USA is to expand the economic prosperity of the Niagara Falls USA communities by generating individual and group visitation. For more information, visit www.niagarafallsusa.com.