The 2023 Spartanburg Soaring! International Kite Festival will be held
Saturday, October 14th from 11AM to 5PM
A free festival in downtown Spartanburg, the Spartanburg Soaring! International Kite Festival presented by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System will feature live music by local musicians, performing acts/artists, tasty food trucks, local arts and crafters at a makers market, an interactive kids zone with activities for all ages, and so much more!
Attendees are welcome to bring their own kites but a limited number of kites will be available for purchase at the festival. Proceeds help support the mission of Chapman Cultural Center!
The Spartanburg Kite Club will be in attendance with their members and friends including kite flyers from across the United States to join in on the kite-flying fun!
About Spartanburg Soaring!
In spring 2014, Chapman Cultural Center launched a community-wide initiative called Spartanburg Soaring! to encourage creativity, promote healthy outdoor activity, and to build civic pride. Using kites as a common theme, Spartanburg Soaring! engaged cultural curiosity and promoted active play through activities and events all across the city. The kite festival takes place in and around the Chapman Cultural Center each year when hundreds of colorful kites fill the skies above Spartanburg.
Learn more about what to expect this year and how you can participate below!
Kids Zone
There's fun for the whole family during the Kite Festival - including the kid's activity area. This year's Kids Zone will feature activities and programming sponsored by The Children's Museum of the Upstate and the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg. You will also find Face Painting by Ashley and Spartanburg's Play Mobile truck for fun for all ages.
Makers Market
One of Spartanburg's great assets is its artists. The Makers Market will be set up where regional artisans will sell their wares – keeping 100% of their profits – so you can keep a piece of local culture even after you fly away. Everything will be affordable and locally handcrafted. Come visit local booths like:
Bracelets 4 Buddies
Cosmic Beauty
Cuddle Me Love
FELTasticFashion
Mission Pens
Petra Creative
Pretty Grievances
RaDaQuin Music Group
The Rainbow Confection
TheWayStop
Whistle Pig Art and Knife
Young's Backyard BBQ
Are you a maker or artist interested in attending? Apply here!
Community Organizations
What makes Spartanburg Soaring! so great? It's the collaborative nature of the festival! This year we have plenty of community organizations stopping by the festival to make sure there is something everyone can enjoy! This year, make sure to visit:
Hello Family
Project R.E.S.T.
The Bair Foundation
The Tyger River Foundation
Are you a local nonprofit interested in attending? Apply here!
Food Trucks
It wouldn't be a festival without delicious, local food! Enjoy local food and drink from vendors like:
Carolina Gourmet Snowballs
Cool Hawgz BBQ
Lulu's Tacos
The Happy Tappy Camper
The Wok Lobster
Music & Performances
Spartanburg Soaring! will have musicians and performers at various locations throughout the festival. From dance acts to your favorite local musicians, there's something everyone can enjoy!
Featuring QL Ellison as MC!
Main Stage
11:00-2:00 pm - Community Mandala Art Project with Katherine Rausch Art
12:00-1:00 pm - Spartanburg Philharmonic Brass Quintet
1:30-2:30 pm - Rokkaku Kite Battle (Spartanburg Marriott lawn)
2:30-3:30 pm - Libation Drum and Dance
4:00-5:00 pm - This Flying Arrow (Live Recording)
Makers Market Stage
11:00-1:00 pm - Rian Moneypenny
1:00-2:00 pm - The Heart of Aloha Hawaiian Hula Dancers
2:30-4:30 pm - Jessica James
Roaming Artists
11:00-1:00 pm - TC Costello
1:00-3:00 pm - Hans Wolff
3:00-5:00 pm - Steve Sarant
Volunteer!
We're looking for volunteers to help make our festival a great experience! Contact Lauren Prestino-Friedrich if you are interested in being involved.