Kites will grace the DeKalb skyline at the Second Annual DeKalb Kite Festival.

The free festival will be held Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will have more entertainment than just aerial acrobatics.

The Kite Festival is a family-friendly event hosted by the DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Debbie Armstrong, coordinator of the DeKalb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“There are stunt kites, fighting kites and kites that will perform ballet to music,” Armstrong said.

The DeKalb Park District will have box hockey and bags for children, but anyone can play, Armstrong said.

Huskie athletic volunteers and Greek volunteers will also be available to help children with kite-making kits, Armstrong said.

In addition, the festival will feature a kite candy drop and 100-foot long inflated kites, Armstrong said.

Attendees are free to bring their own food, though the DeKalb Elks Club will be on hand serving food, Armstrong said.

The DeKalb Kite Festival originates from the efforts of two DeKalb residents: Jim and Chris Obermann. The two attended similar festivals in other towns and wanted to start a similar festival in DeKalb, Armstrong said.

The festival will hold a nonprofit raffle. Prizes will include a package of six NIU football tickets and an appearance by Victor E. Huskie at an event of choice and NIU Basketball tickets, Armstrong said.

Tickets will be available for $1 each or six tickets for $5, all proceeds will go to promoting future DeKalb Kite Festival events, Armstrong said.