THIS year’s Weymouth Kite Festival is expected to be bigger, better and more spectacular than ever before, according to its organiser.

Michael McManus, director of the Community Kite Group, is taking charge of the event for the first time.

The largest beach kite festival in the UK takes place between Saturday and Monday. Professional kite flyers will be testing the wind with their kites throughout the festival.

The festival will be opened officially on Saturday by Weymouth Carnival Queen Gina Hartley at 10am.

This year’s festival will be marked with a special appearance from Peter Powell, who famously developed a steerable kite using dual lines.

Michael said: “The fact that we have got the Godfather of kites, Peter Powell, coming down is fantastic.

“He’s going to do some presentations. I have introduced trophies this year which has never been done before.”

There are two main arenas for the professionals at this year’s event. There will also be an area reserved for the public to fly their kites.

Michael said he’s been keeping a close eye on the weather.

“I’ve been watching the weather for the last six weeks. It’s fantastic, absolutely fantastic. On the Saturday we have got a north easterly wind coming off the sea.”

The Esplanade will be bustling with activity throughout the weekend, with a lot of activities taking place near to and inside the Pavilion.

Pound Puppy Animal Rescue is raising money by hosting a dog show on the beach between 11am and 4pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Beach Olympics will be staged on the beach on Sunday and Monday. This is for all ages and money raised will go towards the NSPCC.

A fairground will be on the Pavilion forecourt whilst kite making workshops take place inside the Pavilion.

There will also be an international food village featuring delicacies from Spain, South Africa, Holland, France and many other countries.

Michael urged people to come along and take part in all of the festivities.

He said: “We are not just catering for the kite world. We are catering for everyone. The main thing is for everyone to come and enjoy themselves.”

OTHER EVENTS THIS WEEKEND:

  • The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival is taking place between Friday and Sunday at Marine Parade, featuring a fossil fair, dinosaur runway, puppet theatre and microfossils workshop.
  • The world-famous Dorset Knob Throwing competition returns to Cattistock as part of the Frome Valley Food Festival on Sunday. Activities take place between 10am and 4pm.
  • A May Day Fete will be held on the Playing Fields in Lyme Regis on Sunday. There will be a number of stalls as well as displays from the young people of Lyme.