Kites color skies over Cannon

In the spring winds, professional kite flyers, games and more helped get things off the ground at Cannon Air Force Base’s sixth annual Kite Karnival on April 18 at Doc Stewart Park.

Community Center Manager Paul Hopkins relies heavily on volunteers to pull the event together. Between 75 and 100 volunteers painted children’s faces, sold food and helped with parking.

Hopkins said work begins in December to ensure everything is ready by April. Hopkins said he encouraged people to stop by from Clovis, Cannon and surrounding communities. The event was free and open to everyone.

Walt and Dorothy Mitchell with High Plains Delta Kites have operated a booth at the Kite Karnival since it began. Walt said they always have a great time watching people fly kites and selling their products.

Some of their customers, the Felix family, took advantage of the opportunity to spend the day together. Sal Felix said he enjoyed bringing his children to the park and flying kites with them.

Several other families echoed his statement, many adding that their kids “loved it!”