Families covered the grass at Rotary Centennial Park while kites filled the skies above Sunday at the sixth annual Family Kite Festival sponsored by the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum.
Younger children laughed and clapped as kites of all shapes and sizes danced in the brisk breeze that swept across the park on South College Drive.
Meanwhile, older kids tried their hand at sending their own colorful fliers aloft — sometimes with a little help from mom or dad.
Kite shapes ranged from the traditional style to multiple boxes, from triangles to wings and even parachutes, while others looked like butterflies, sharks, birds, dragons, cartoon characters, World War II airplanes and modern fighter jets.
In addition to a variety of contests, kite demonstrations by experienced fliers and a drawing for a bicycle, the free event included music by the family rock group Birdie.
Food, drinks and other items were available for purchase from local vendors who set up booths around the perimeter of the park.