Kite flyers, builders enjoy artistry and community at Dieppe festival
CBC
A kite in the summer sky is usually a delightful sight and for one kite builder, kites are his creative outlet.
Scott Hampton, a kite builder from Utah, said he travels to kite festivals around the world, but this weekend was his first time taking in the ImaginAIR Festival in Dieppe, N.B.
"I got into it as an adult flying sport kites, or stunt kites," he said. "Then I went to a festival like this and I saw kite artists, people making their own kites, and right away I knew that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to create my own designs."
The festival returned to Dieppe from Friday to Sunday, held for the first time since it was grounded by COVID-19 restrictions, according to organizers.
Standing in the designated kite field at Dover Park on Sunday, Hampton said building and flying kites is a fun and affordable hobby.
He builds his creations and hand-paints his creations.
"Kites aren't really recognized as flying art but it's coming around," said Hampton. "It's a creative outlet for a lot of us so we're all kind of learning how to become artists using kites as our medium."
Michel Mauguin is also a longtime kite enthusiast. He traveled from France to attend the festival, and said he has been making kites for 30 years.
Mauguin was first drawn to the diversity of kites from around the world.
"Each day you meet somebody who makes something totally different from what you had in mind," he said.
Mauguin said he initially builds a kite for his own amusement and sense of accomplishment but when it's time to fly it, it becomes about the smiles it generates, and the people he meets.
"I'm not a rich man but I know kite flyers everywhere," he said.
According to Jonathan Desroches, an organizer of the festival for the city of Dieppe, the festival had over 50 kites from across North America, and Mauguin's kites, from France.
He said this is the festival's 16th year, though it was formerly known as the International Kite Festival. It was first inspired by the large international kite festival held in Dieppe, France.
Hundreds of P.E.I. parents can't find child-care spaces, especially for infants. The provincial government says expanding those spots remains a top priority — and it recognizes the concern.
An Alberta judge says a referendum proposal on Alberta separating from Canada goes against Charter and and Treaty rights, in a decision given less than 24 hours after the provincial government introduced legislation that would have ended the court proceeding.
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.