Take 5 with Alannah Keeler

In November, whales, octopi, and other colorful creatures will fly over Kure Beach. November 6-8 brings the twentieth year of the Cape Fear Kite Festival, which is estimated to draw more than one hundred kite flyers from around the country. They’ll display their airborne skills to about 7,500 spectators for a Friday night preview and drone show and to about 5,000 a day on Saturday and Sunday during the daytime festival, says ALANNAH KEELER, director of operations for the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce.

Keeler, who has been with the chamber for seven years and runs its day-to-day operations, serves as event coordinator for the annual kite festival, among other Pleasure Island events. Info on the free event is at pleasureislandnc.org/cape-fear-kite-festival.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE KITE FESTIVAL FOR SOMEONE WHO HASN’T BEEN BEFORE?

“I would describe it as ‘magical.’ It is a fun weekend with something for everyone. Friday night at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk is just mesmerizing. There is really nothing like seeing the kites lit up with LED lights on the beach while the DJ plays music. There is also something about seeing a giant whale floating in the sky over Fort Fisher or a scuba diver that is the size of a school bus that makes you feel like a kid again.”

HOW HAS IT GROWN OVER THE YEARS?

“When the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce took the event over in 2021 (from founders and kite enthusiasts Mike and Judy Agner), we added Friday at Kure Beach Pier and Friday night at Carolina Beach Boardwalk to the festival weekend as well as live music, food vendors, crafters, and shuttle services. The Friday festivities have grown tremendously over the years, and last year, we hosted Carolina Beach’s first-ever drone show. We have also added a lot more kite flyers and kites to the event, doubling our list of contacts since 2021.”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE WEEKEND?

“I really love watching the trolley come down the road toward the festival. Seeing all of the kids’ faces light up really makes the whole weekend for me. Saturday night is also one of my favorite parts.”

HOW DOES THIS FESTIVAL DRAW PROFESSIONAL FLYERS?

“I think word of mouth has a lot to do with it. There are festivals around the country and throughout the year, so the kite flyers run into each other from time to time and discuss which ones they have been to and where they are going next. The kite flyer community is a pretty tight-knit group of passionate people, and a lot of our newcomers have been by word of mouth. The fact that they can come spend a weekend at the beach also helps.”

WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING KITE YOU’VE SEEN AT THE CAPE FEAR KITE FESTIVAL?

“I think they are all interesting when you hear how it was made, who is flying it, or how they fly it. If I had to choose, I would say the caterpillar on the beach stands out because it is absolutely enormous and sits on the sand for you to take an up-close look at. The ‘sport kites’ are also very interesting. How a team of kite flyers can coordinate and sync their kites to make them buzz through the sky without tangling their lines is really fascinating to watch.”

ALANNAH KEELER’s full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Lifestyles email. To sign up for the email, go to WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter

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