Iowa winters are brutal, but we don’t let that get in the way of a good time! In fact, the best Iowa kite festival of the year is held in the middle of winter. Walk out onto a frozen Clear Lake and watch the kites soar — this is one Iowa experience you’ll always remember.

Head out to the lake in the middle of February for a blustery cold kite festival that will blow you away.
Google Local / Brianna Gonzales
This year, the festival will be on Saturday, February 16, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Downtown Seawall in Clear Lake. The festival is hosted by Larry and Kay Day, Clear Lake's famous kite enthusiasts!
These aren't your ordinary childhood kites! Look out for "Blue," the 60-foot whale that typically makes an appearance high above the lake.
Color The Wind
Along with dozens of beautiful kites, you'll find plenty of food, local vendors, and so many friendly faces on the ice. Clear Lake really make this an incredible experience for kids and adults.

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Be sure to bundle up, and don't forget your sunglasses. The bright ice surface is reflective, and you'll want to be able to see these beautiful bright kites clearly.
Color The Wind
You will be absolutely amazed by the size and detail on these high flying kites. It's never too late to pick up a new hobby, and you might find yourself bringing a few kites home to try your hand at flying.
Every year, Clear Lake's Color the Wind Kite Festival draws hundreds of visitors from all over the Midwest to see the strange Iowa tradition of flying kites in the dead of winter. Don't miss it this year!
Color The Wind
Check out footage from last year's festival below:

You can find out more information about this Iowa Kite Festival on their website right here. While you’re in town, plan to stay a while and you’ll soon understand why Clear Lake is The Most Criminally Overlooked Town In Iowa.

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