Kite-flying event in Cedar Rapids hopes to raise spirits, bring people together

Dozens of kites will soar above the Second Avenue Bridge over the Cedar River later this month.

On Aug. 28, the Community of Artists and Veterans, with the Veteran Memorial Commission, is hosting a first-of-its-kind kite event in downtown Cedar Rapids.

The event, taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will provide kite-making kits for free. The organization will provide more than 300 kits to those who attend.

“We just thought with derecho and covid, all these different things, things that strained the Cedar Rapids community and separated and divided us in different ways, we just want to do something that's just fun and brings people together from different communities in the city,” event organizer Jason Everett said.

CAV leader Scott Droessler and Everett collaborated in the past to purchase and help local artists and families share kites in countries including Iraq, Cuba, Uganda, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Namibia.

Droessler, a Mount Mercy art graduate and Iowa National Guard veteran, oversaw the preliminary kite assemblage, and Everett, a University of Iowa and Kirkwood alum and U.S. Army veteran, along with Nancy Bartosz, the founder of HOPE Travels, delivered and put on kite events around the globe.

“We want to serve underserved communities,” Everett said. “I’ve spent time talking and calling to many organizations, our refugee and immigrant communities. I’ve gone to neighborhoods and spoke with people, trying to get the message out. We would love to have representation from all of our communities here.”

Artists and kite fliers, including a regional representative from the American Kitefliers Association, will be in attendance at the event to teach kids how to fly kites.

“I hope it’s so successful that after this event, we begin planning next year’s event and maybe it becomes an event we do every year,” Everett said. “Maybe this becomes something that catches on.”

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