12:00a.m. 11th October 2008

| By Nikita Lee

There will be kite-flying demonstrations, workshops, live music and other entertainment all weekend at the Coolum Kite Festival.

The odd rain drop or two will not dampen the spirits of festival organisers who have spent months preparing to launch an array of colourful kites into Coolum’s skies today.

While the skies remained grey leading into the eighth local kite festival, the weather bureau has predicted “lots of sunny breaks” over the weekend.

IGA Coolum Kite Festival chairman Noel Mooney was confident kites would fly smoothly over the two-day festival.

“We’re not too worried about the rain; it keeps us cool,” he said.

“As long as there is not storms, we will be okay.”

Organisers and Sunbus have made it easy to get to Stumers Creek, with parking available in three areas and a bus service running every 10 minutes from four locations.

Detours will ease any hassles when the David Low Way is closed through Coolum’s main street for most of today and tomorrow.

International kite masters have spent one-on-one time with school students across the Coast in the lead-up to the festival and offered tips on their kite-flying secrets.

Experienced Currumbin kite flyer Steve Donovan said showing younger generations the benefits of the sport was an integral part of his involvement in the festival.

Mr Donovan has attended five Coolum festivals and worked as flight director for three.

“I travel nine months a year with kites, and the best thing is trying to bring back to children’s minds about being outside and away from computers,” he said.

“It’s a great family-oriented sport and it’s also a community sport.”

The VORTICE Kite team leader said careful planning had taken place to prepare the kite displays ahead of this weekend.

“The team will have quad line kites so I’m looking forward to demonstrating and having everyone spellbound.

“It’s fully aerobatic, so not only can we fly fast, but we can do lots of tricks.”

Mr Donovan said Chinese dragon-kite flyer Liu Zhiping’s show would be a standout.

Chinese kite master Qian Jian Guo and his artist wife Lang Feng Liang will also demonstrate traditional Chinese kite-making.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Gordon Banks said the Coast could experience isolated showers today and similar conditions tomorrow.

“During Sunday we may see things becoming a little bit more unstable but not to the point of getting widespread rain,” he said.

“There will still be lots of sunny breaks.”

Wind conditions over the water are expected to stay at 15-20 knots today and 10-15 knots tomorrow .

> See our weather page for the latest forecast.

FESTIVAL FACTS:

* The free festival runs from 10am-9pm today , and 10am-4pm tomorrow at Stumers Creek

* There will be kite-flying displays all day

* Live music and fireworks display tonight

* Workshops, kite-surfing displays, food and craft stalls, face painting and tandem skydiving

ROAD CLOSURES AND TRANSPORT DETAILS:

* Stumers Creek Road closed until 6pm Sunday.

* David Low Way closed through Coolum’s main street, between Hewitt St and Springfield Ave, on Saturday from 1-10pm and Sunday from 9.30am-5pm.

* Free parking at Coolum Sports Complex, Jack Morgan Park (Perry St) and Elizabeth St (behind Element on Coolum)

* Free buses will run every 10 minutes between Beach Rd and Stumers Creek, with pick up points at Coolum Sports Complex, Jack Morgan Park, Tickle Park and Elizabeth St

* Sunbus route 620 from Maroochydore to Tewantin will run every half hour and will service Bli Bli, Pacific Paradise, Mudjimba Beach, Marcoola, Coolum, Peregian, Marcus Beach, Sunshine Beach and Noosa Heads. This is the best bus route for out-of-town festival visitors.