The St. Anne’s Kite Festival is a beloved annual event that lights up the skies over St. Anne’s beach, attracting thousands of visitors each summer. The festival owes its current success to Patrick May, a local primary school teacher whose passion for kite flying was sparked by a single visit to the Catch the Wind Festival in Morecambe. Inspired by the experience, Patrick didn’t just take up kite flying as a hobby; he took it a step further and decided to revive the St. Anne’s Kite Festival in 2012 alongside his wife, Jenny. With the help of international kite experts SmileFactor 10 from the Lake District and DH Kites from Warrington, the festival made a powerful comeback and has continued to grow ever since.
Patrick recalls the early days of organizing the event: “After going to Morecambe, I just thought it would be a fantastic thing to do. Why not? I worked hard to get it off the ground with help from friends, and it’s been so rewarding.” Watching the skies fill with colorful kites of all shapes and sizes, he adds, is an “incredible sight” that keeps visitors returning year after year.
Now a mainstay on the Fylde Coast, the festival draws professional kite flyers from around the world. Spectators enjoy a dazzling array of kites, from massive teddy bears, hippos, and dragons to intricate bird designs. Plans are underway to make this year’s event on July 25th and 26th bigger than ever, with exciting new attractions. Along with breathtaking kite displays, the festival will feature kite-making workshops, kites for sale, family activities, and live entertainment. In past years, original music by local bands has been performed on the bandstand, but this year, a stage on the beach near the pier will host the performances.
Supported by local businesses like The Pier Café as well as St. Anne’s Town Council and Fylde Borough Council, the St. Anne’s Kite Festival has become one of the most popular family events in the area. It’s a wonderful day out for all ages, with free admission, and a chance to experience the beauty of St. Anne’s beach while enjoying an impressive celebration of kites and community.
