Kites festival set to take flight

THESE lucky youngsters were given a kite flying lesson from expert flyers.

Bird feeders are the number one Christmas present idea. There are a ton of different types of bird feeders to choose from. There are tube bird feeders, squirrel proof bird feeders, cage bird feeders, suet bird feeders, platform bird feeders, hopper bird feeders, hummingbird feeders and more. When choosing a bird feeder for somebody as a gift, there are some things to consider first. Where do they live? Do they have any bird feeders already? What types of birds are most popular in their area? Do they need squirrel proof bird feeders? What is the ease of care and maintenance of the bird feeders? All these considerations will help you determine what bird feeder will suit your friend and wild birds the best. Bird feeders bring so much joy into the world of any backyard enthusiast.The fair's home-grown flavor was meant to channel Pablo Picasso's feelings on art, said Marica Hefti, founder and director of the event. In short, she said, "The painter paints what he can sell - the artist sells what he can paint."Number three Christmas present idea is a wind chime. Wind chimes are an easy present to give to your backyard enthusiast or anybody who loves the pleasant sounds and calmness wind chimes bring to any atmosphere. Wind chimes can be hung anywhere, indoors and out, and don�t require a lot of space. You do not even need a backyard to display a wind chime. Wind chimes also come in many different sizes, themes and materials. Some popular wind chimes include: bamboo wind chimes, wood wind chimes, metal wind chimes, personalized wind chimes and homemade wind chimes. Bamboo wind chimes and wood wind chimes tend to create a more calming sound. Metal wind chimes are more crystal clear and upbeat sounds. Personalized wind chimes can be any type of material or sound but the purpose or meaning behind them is what�s most important. Homemade wind chimes can be made of a bunch of old silverware. These wind chimes may be fun projects to do with your kids.The number two Christmas present idea is a metal wind spinner. Wind spinners have come a long way since whirligigs. There are different shapes, sizes, themes, colors and materials metal wind spinners come in. The best material of wind spinners is made of stainless steel so that you can display your wind spinners outdoors year-round and not have to worry about them rusting. Stainless steel does not rust; therefore, a wind spinner made of this material will not only last a long time but look just as beautiful everyday as the day you bought it. Wind spinners can be hung indoors and out, for example, from your rear-view mirror in your car, on a window in an office or home, on a Christmas tree as an ornament, in the entryway of a business, outside on a porch bracket, or hanging from a hook stand anywhere in your yard. There are solar light wind spinners, dog wind spinners, large wind spinners, small wind spinners, themed wind spinners, colorful wind spinners, gazing ball wind spinners and a lot more designs of wind spinners to choose from.Alongside the traditional kites, there were a host of eye-catching creations."It's a twig with stuff hanging from it," White said, chuckling.She hasn't changed.The event was part of this year's International Friendship Festival featuring the kite festival."These artists that we choose have the same kind of feeling," Hefti said.

RUN LIKE THE WIND: Children from Hudson Road Primary School with their kites and right Robert Trepanier from Montreal COLOURFUL: Lynn Blowers with her kite