Gerringong is getting a new event that embraces its natural winds - one that could potentially grow into an annual event that will see benefits for the town and a much anticipated fun family day for all.

The joint initiative of the Rotary Club of Gerringong and Kiama Council is bringing the Gerringong Kite Festival to the Michael Cronin Oval next month. The event will include live music, food trucks and activities for children.

Gerringong Rotary member, Graham Hanna, is one who believes the initiative could grow into a big annual event, similar to the kite festivals held in Harden and Bondi.

“For me, it ticks all of the boxes for a good community event. Not only is it visually attractive, with lots of colourful kites in the sky, it is an outdoor activity for kids, a time to share with family and it brings in all areas of the community,” Graham says.

The Bondi Festival of the Winds, now in its 44th year

“With the main street of Gerringong up the road, it will encourage people to come and spend money in the town. I think it is going to be fantastic for the community once we get it up and running, and we can get other community organisations involved as well.”

President of Gerringong Rotary Sue McGilvray says, “I am thinking the Festival will become a big enough event that it will outgrow the number of Rotarians we have to be involved.”

Kiama Council is handing out 500 kite kits to schools, so children can make their own kites and bring them on the day.

There will also be a stallholder at the event selling kites, but Sue says, if you have a kite at home, bring it along and put it up in the air.

“The kids will get a lot of out of it, with the theory of putting something up in the air and the aerodynamics of it flying, let alone putting a kit together and colouring and painting them,” says Sue.

Saturday 12 November, Michael Cronin Oval, 10-1.30pm