16th Annual Kite Festival opens June 3rd at Kennedy Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 25, 2017

For further information contact:

Kris Kochman
Community Relations Liaison
City of Kenosha
262-653-4177
kkochman@kenosha.org

KENOSHA Connor Doran of Federal Way, WA will share his kite-flying skills, as well as a
powerful personal message about overcoming problems with epilepsy and bullying, as part of
the 16th annual Outta Sight Kite Flight in Kenosha June 2-4 at Kennedy Park.

Doran, 24, will speak to members of the Boys & Girls Club and kids from the YMCA and
present an indoor kite-flying demonstration on June 2. On June 3 and 4, he will join nationally
and internationally recognized kite flying teams performing at Kennedy Park on the Kenosha
lakefront between noon and 5 p.m.

The Outta Sight Kite Flight is organized by the City of Kenosha together with the Gift of Wings
and the Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois. The free festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. June 3 and 4 at Kennedy Park, with a grand launch of more than 500 kites at 12 noon.
Professional kite teams begin performing at 12:20 p.m.

Connor Doran's appearance is sponsored by the City of Kenosha. He began competitive kite
flying in 2007, and found that kite flying helped him cope with seizures caused by epilepsy.

In 2010, at age 17, Doran auditioned with 90,000 people and became a top 12 finalist in
season five of America's Got Talent. Since then, Connor has remained an advocate and
supporter of Epilepsy Awareness and the benefits of kiting. He has also teamed up with Amy
Doran to develop the Dare To Dream Program, which encourages people of all ages to
believe in themselves, embrace their dreams, spread Epilepsy Awareness, and speak out
about bullying. Doran has continued to practice his own kite flying skills, and travels to
exhibitions and competitions throughout the country.

On Friday, he and his mother will share their story, as well as demonstrate their kite flying
skills, during presentations at the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha, open to members.

Other highlights at the Kite Festival include the Kids Mad Dash at 2:30 p.m. June 3 and 4,
sponsored by the City of Kenosha. The first 100 kids to sign up and participate will receive
free kites both days. The winner will be the first to have a kite reach the highest altitude in 60
seconds. Kids can participate in kite-making and kite-decorating workshops, and there will be
kite flying lessons and kite flying contests throughout the day for all ages.

Spectators will be thrilled by demonstrations of gigantic show kites, reaching over 100-feet.
Popular kite stunt teams from Canada, Chicago, Milwaukee, and more will make appearances
and showcase their talents.

The Outta Sight Kite Flight is free and open to the public. Kites and food will be available for
purchase at the event. For further information, contact Scott Fisher at Gift of Wings, 414-305-
3145 or visit: Giftofwings.com.