Parow kite-maker, Ian Islip, will be flying for Cape Mental Health at the first-ever virtual Cape Town International Kite Festival from Saturday October 10 to Saturday October 31.
The goal is to raise R250 000 for Cape mental Health who provide free mental health services.
Ian and his wife Jenny will fly kites at Dolphin Beach, Blouberg, and encourage everyone to fly a kite and give hope.
Ian and Jenny were so inspired by what they saw at the Cape Town International Kite Festival several years ago that Ian started designing his own inflatable kites. Since then he has become a highly skilled kite designer and has created well over 80 kite designs, including many original creations.
These include a family of giant jellyfish, a 28m orange dragon, a 25m rainbow worm, a range of superheroes including his 3.2m kite man and a 21m squid. One of his earliest kites was based on a vintage Cody – an early 20th century kite used for military purposes and able to lift a man into the air.
Ian is most proud of his 3D octopus which took over a month to make, using 200m of fabric and 450 parts.
This year’s interactive event combines real-life kite-flying with online kite-making workshops, competitions and videos, and an online concert.
Join kiters all over the globe and fly your kite anywhere and any time between October 10 and 31. Share your photos, videos and messages of hope, tagging #HopeOnTheRise and @CTKiteFest, and feature on the official CTKiteFest social feeds. You’ll also receive an official certificate of your participation in Africa’s oldest kite festival.
A ticket gives access to all festival competitions as well as online content including a variety of kite-making workshops. Learn how to create a simple diamond kite from everyday materials; a traditional bamboo and paper Cape Swaeltjie kite or an eye-catching feather banner. There’s also a colouring-in competition for the little ones and several short kiting films on the online platform as well as the concert on Saturday October 24, featuring comedian Dalin Oliver, singer and songwriter Jarrad Ricketts and drag artist, Manila von Teez who plan to combine music, dance and laughs for an evening of entertainment from the comfort of your own home.
There are prizes are up for grabs.
Visit www.capementalhealth.co.za/HopeOnTheRise to buy tickets or WhatsApp 067 321 9572, call 021 447 9040 during office hours or email info@cmh.org.za for more information.