A rainbow of color occupied the skies as DeKalb’s 8th annual Kite Fest took flight Sunday.

Kites resembling dolphins, rainbows, cows, cats and other things were visible all the way to NIU’s North 40 field. The event went from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the corner of corner of Lucinda Avenue and Kishwaukee Drive.

One of the most unique sights was a 90 foot long octopus kite called an “octopile.”

Chicago Kite/Kite Harbor sold a variety of kites for prices starting at $15; the seller’s kites were up to 100 feet long. Children were treated to candy dropped from a kite, kite-making and other activities and games hosted by sponsors.

“We probably started organizing everything around April, trying to get sponsors together,” said Debbie Armstrong, one of the event coordinators for the Kite Fest and a Chamber of Commerce board member. “So far, the turnout has been good. Our first year we probably had between 600 and 800 people; last year it was around three to five thousand. As people start to get out of church you’ll see more coming in.”

Liz McAllister, a graduate assistant with Student Involvement & Leadership Development, organized many of the volunteers around the Sycamore Art Attack tent.

“Volunteering at Kite Fest is a great way to build the community both at NIU and in DeKalb,” McAllister said.

Some individuals point to the sponsors as being large contributors to Kite Fest’s success. Susan Edwards, executive director of Sycamore Art Attack, said she was happy to take part in the event.

“We’ve been a part of Kite Fest since it started seven years ago,” said Edwards. “People just keep on trickling in throughout the day.”