By Rita Shirley LeBleu

Who knows what lurks beneath the dark waters of the Gulf of America. But Saturday, June 20, a partially clouded sky of blue above the Cajun Riviera was filled with darting fish, undulating squid, giant octopi, Asian Koi, a bright yellow sea sponge and an alligator.

It was the second annual Holly Beach Kite Weekend. For at least a mile of Holly Beach, beautiful kites of all sizes, shapes and colors fluttered in a breeze that finally gained enough speed as the day went on for kiters to strut their stuff.

Event coordinator Rodney Istre, “DJ Salty,” started the event last year to “bring joy to Holly Beach and make great memories,” he said.

Families were out in droves. Music genres differed from tent to umbrella with the only sounds played overly loud blared from souped-up off-road SUVs making passes.

Among the families there was mom Sarah Guillory from Jennings. She brought a kite for her and her three children, noting that kiting was once popular among kids but seems to be losing ground to less rigorous fun.

One young man looked at his mother and asked if he would have to run to launch his kite. It was hot and humid, and in the early afternoon, before the wind picked up. About the same time, Chris Baker, Belle Chasse, was just getting a large striped parafoil with an eight-foot or longer tail barely off the ground.

“This is one of the smallest I brought,” he said.

He has thousands. His wife confirmed it, and they brought a pickup truck bed full. Three were show winners: First place, 96-foot red octopus, second place, Sponge Bob and third place, patriotic LED flag.

Vendors were set up outside the Holly Beach Playground and throughout the neighborhood. The playground pavilion hosted a venue of music provided by Damon Troy, Dustin Ray and Rodney Istre “DJ Salty”. The splash pad provided a much welcomed reprive to cool off and there was playground equipment for the children to enjoy. There was something for everyone!

Watch for next year’s event!