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NATCHEZ — The Natchez Bluff skies will illuminate with colorful kites on Friday night followed by kite-making and flying demonstrations on Saturday at the Natchez Convention Center.

The Natchez Convention Center hosts the Natchez Kite Festival with the support of ‘Pretty Girls with Brains’ a local non-profit established to encourage, empower, and engage young girls to become productive leaders.

“This is a spring workshop on kite flying,” said Walter Tipton, convention center manager. “Pretty Girls with Brains has engaged all elementary schools in the area. It’s going to be a great kite-flying weekend.”

Bettye Bell, spokesperson for the organization, said festivities begin Friday evening with the “Glow With Us” flying demonstration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the bluff.

This is when illuminated kites will light the night sky.

“Everyone is invited,” Bell said. “Just come and enjoy.”

Then on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the convention center, there will be kite-building workshops for children and adults as well as indoor flying demonstrations. The fun continues with a “sock hop” from 12:30 to 2 p.m., which is a dance where you “kick off your shoes and dance in your socks,” Bell said.

More kite flying will immediately follow on the bluff from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and hopefully, those who participated in the kite building workshop can successfully fly their newly made kites, she said.

Children and adults who want to partake with constriction or instruction are welcome, Bell said, adding, “We will have some materials there or you can bring your own.”

All activities are free and open to the public, she said.

“We really want people to come and support this family-friendly event. It is not age-limited,” she said.