Support The Newport Kite Festival 40th Anniversary

Help Us Celebrate 40 Years of Dreams Taking Flight!

The Newport Kite Festival began in 1986 with a simple dream: to create a place where families could gather, look up together, and share the wonder of colorful kites dancing against Rhode Island's stunning coastline. Forty years later, that dream has become a beloved tradition that draws 20,000 people annually to Brenton Point State Park.

This isn't just any festival. The sky fills with extraordinary creations—massive dragons soaring overhead, whimsical cartoon characters floating on ocean breezes, intricate geometric patterns that seem to defy physics. These aren't typical kites; they're flying art created by master kite makers from across the country who travel to Newport specifically for our unique wind conditions and community spirit.

Our 40-year journey hasn't always been easy. We've survived organizational changes, funding challenges, and even a heartbreaking cancellation during the pandemic. But here's what makes this festival truly special: the community refused to let it die. Even during years without official organization, families kept showing up at Brenton Point, flying kites and keeping the tradition alive through sheer love and determination.

That resilience is why we're here today, preparing for our 40th Anniversary Celebration on July 11-12, 2026.

For four decades, we've kept the Newport Kite Festival completely FREE for all families. Whether you're a local family or visitors from across the country, whether you can afford expensive entertainment or you're stretching to provide summer fun for your kids—everyone is welcome at our festival. That's not an accident; it's our mission.

But keeping this tradition alive and free takes real resources:

Permits & Insurance: Essential legal requirements to host 20,000+ people safely

Professional Kite Performers: Master flyers who travel from across the country to create spectacular aerial shows

Equipment & Infrastructure: Sound systems, safety equipment, volunteer coordination

Community Outreach: Ensuring families throughout Rhode Island know about this free resource

Family Activities: Kite-making workshops, educational programming, and hands-on fun for children

Our 40th Anniversary milestone celebration deserves to be extraordinary.

Your donations will help us:

Honor Our History: Special programming recognizing four decades of community volunteers and organizers

Create New Memories: Enhanced family activities and workshops for the next generation

Ensure Our Future: Building a sustainable foundation so the festival thrives for another 40 years

Keep It FREE: Most importantly, maintaining free admission for all families

Every Dollar Makes Dreams Take Flight

$25 - Helps provide kite-making supplies for a child's workshop

$50 - Supports bringing professional kite performers to Newport

$100 - Covers essential permits and safety equipment

$250 - Sponsors a family activity station for the entire weekend

$500 - Becomes a foundational supporter of our 40th anniversary celebration

Any amount - No matter the size, every donation helps preserve this irreplaceable community tradition!

When you support the Newport Kite Festival, you're not just funding an event—you're preserving something rare and beautiful. In our fast-paced, digital world, we create a space where three generations of a family can share wonder together, where strangers become friends helping untangle kite lines, and where the simple act of looking up at colorful fabric dancing in coastal winds creates memories that last lifetimes.

We've been changing lives one kite at a time for 40 years. With your help, we'll continue this mission for 40 more.

Mark Your Calendar!

Newport Kite Festival 40th Anniversary

July 11-12, 2026

Brenton Point State Park, Newport RI

FREE admission for all families

Come be part of our biggest celebration ever and see why this beloved Rhode Island tradition has captivated hearts and lifted spirits for four remarkable decades.

Thank you for helping keep our dreams—and our kites—soaring high!

The Newport Kite Festivalis organized by dedicated volunteers committed to preserving this free, family-friendly community tradition. Every donation goes directly toward festival expenses and programming.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES BY CATEGORY

$500 "Friend of the Festival"

Recognition on website and social media

Thank you on social media

$1,000 "Community Supporter"

Logo on anniversary banner

Social media recognition posts

$2,500 "Anniversary Champion"

Prominent logo placement at festival

Recognition in press materials

$5,000 "Legacy Builder"

Named sponsorship of specific element

VIP festival experience

$10,000+ "Anniversary Founder"

All promotional material inclusion

Partnership in planning and promotion

The Newport Kite Festival