Harnessing the Wind for Beauty and FUN!!
BY: RACHEL WUMKES
After a one-year hiatus due to the change of hands in event planning, the Color the Wind Kite Festival is back in 2022 to harness the wind for beauty and fun. In a twist of fate, this year we also recognize the wind for its power and productivity within the world. If there was ever a collaboration written in the stars – it was the day Apex Clean Energy became the presenting sponsor of this spectacular event.
In case you’re unfamiliar with them, Apex Clean Energy is “a values-driven company focused on a singular mission to deliver carbon solutions at scale.” In a nutshell – they put up wind turbines across the country in hopes of shaping the energy transition to a cleaner, more sustainable solution.
Now, if you are like me, you’re probably secretly wondering how the turbines actually create energy.
I won’t judge you if you don’t judge me.
After a bit of research, it turns out these large turbines use their blades to collect the wind’s kinetic energy (energy of an object that it possesses due to its motion). Wind flows over the blades creating lift, which causes them to turn. The blades are connected to a drive shaft which then turns an electric generator to produce electricity.
And viola. You have power to charge your phone!
While Apex builds these turbines across the Midwest, they remain a true partner to each community where they develop a renewable energy project. In the beginning stages of planning, they are excited for the Indigo Project located in Cerro Gordo County.
And so – what better way for a company specializing in wind than to sponsor the spectacular event, Color the Wind?
I told you… match made in Heaven!
Special THANKS to Apex Clean Energy, as well as these other incredible sponsors for making Color the Wind a premier winter event at the Lake.
- Wind Twister Sponsors: Budget Blinds, Cabin Coffee, City of Clear Lake, Clear Lake Bank & Trust, Rookies, Sevens, Tap’d, Clear Lake Noon Lions Club, Kingland, The Other Place, Larry & Kay Day, Porch on Main, NTI, LTD.
- Freestyle Sponsors: Rotary Club, Cookies, etc., Farmers State Bank, Hall Realty, Lake Iowa Realty, Larson’s Mercantile, MBT Bank, McQuaid Agency, VFW
If you’ve never been out and about to see these massive kites – this is your year! With the guidance of Larry & Kay Day (former event coordinators) the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to add Color the Wind to the list of signature events, making Clear Lake a pristine choice for lake time fun even in the winter!
Bursts of color floating high above our frozen oasis will be displayed on February 19th from 11am – 4pm in front of the seawall. Numerous kiters plan to attend from around Midwest, with a special guest coming this year from all the way across the pond!
Dave and Claire Hardwick of England began their kiting adventures while on holiday to the French Pyrenees and happened across a kite in a campsite shop. They enjoyed this two-line inflatable kite for years before attending their first festival in China in 2017. It was that event which kickstarted a love for kiting.
They joined the Midland Kite Fliers in the UK and began attending fly-ins and events while continuing to grow their arsenal of bigger and better kites – all of which Dave keeps safely logged and organized in a spreadsheet!
Dave and Claire learned about Color the Wind via Facebook a few years ago and sent a message to Kay Day. Ever since, they’ve had dreams of coming to Clear Lake to be a part of the event and are very excited the weather has been favorable in creating lots of ice!
“Claire and I have never been anywhere as cold as we are told it will be in North Iowa, but that is the attraction,” Dave commented. “To fly on a frozen lake with smooth winter wind and lots of new fliers to meet.”
They will be bringing with them a 115ft white and purple octopus, a 65 ft octopus aptly named “Beanie” as he will be wearing a wooly hat due to the cold, two 40ft octopus, a scuba man, and a flock of 9 swallows.
“One of my favorite things to do is arrive on the filed – or in this case, ice – with just some bags, and then watch the faces of the people as out of the bag comes some animal or fish floating into the air,” Dave said about kiting. “And then when we’re done, we stuff them back into their sacks of nylon and walk away with just the great memories.”
For all the details pertaining to this event, including times, where to park, and how to best enjoy the kites, go to https://clearlakeiowa.com/events/color-the-wind/
We cannot wait to see you all out on the frozen lake on February 19th. Don’t forget to dress warm, friends!