Created: Apr 03, 2026 08:06 PM (Updated: Apr 03, 2026 08:07 PM)
Up and away: the annual Good Friday Kite Festival returns to Horseshoe Bay (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)
A mix of music, kites fluttering above and a tug-of-war competition in which the women overpowered the men marked the return of an annual Good Friday event at Horseshoe Bay.
The kite-making event returned today after a nine-year hiatus and beachgoers excitedly took part in a host of activities co-ordinated by its organisers.
The event started at about 11am with an official opening ceremony, and hosts Mr Fotogenik and Feria Alpha kept the crowd alive throughout the festival.
A number of residents submitted kites as part of the kite-making competition that was sponsored by Smith Technologies.
Arthur Pitcher was named Best Overall winner, followed by Martha Kornakova and Lorenzo Whagmaker.
Kites that were submitted for the contest (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)
In the Open category, Wayne De Roza won the largest kite submission while Hughie Smith won the smallest.
In the students’ category, first place went to Ava Adorno and she was followed by Noryon Brown and Kaiden Hall.
Eugene Dean, the chairman of Greenrock and a producer of the festival, said the event marked the return of a beloved Bermudian Easter tradition.
Lilly Ralston at the Good Friday Kite Festival at Horseshoe Bay (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)
He said: “It was all about keeping the tradition permanent in people’s minds.
“This was the original kite competition … all the others were inspired by this event.
“What impressed me the most here was the mix of locals and visitors … that stood out for me.”
Dion Smith, of Smith Technologies, said he was impressed by the creative submissions and the overall turnout.
He said: “Today’s event has been wonderful. We have a beautiful day and we have lots of families, tourists, and everyone is enjoying the activities we have on.
“We had a tug-of-war and we had lots of people taking part in that as well … it was fun.”
Mr Smith said the community event provided tourists with an opportunity to view kites made in Bermuda and to partake of the culinary delights that the island has to offer.
“I truly believe that when they go back, they will take a good piece of Bermuda with them,” he said.
A tug-of-war competition drew visitors attention, and a round in which the women pulled the men across the middle-marker, turned several heads and brought excitement to the festival.
“The tug-of-war was fantastic,” said Tricia Rice, a visitor from New Jersey.
Ms Rice has been visiting the island since 2019 and she said she was happy to take part in the festival.
“I came specifically to see what it’s about,” she said of the event, adding that she was impressed by turnout.
Ms Rice said she was always intrigued by the kites made in Bermuda and that she intended to visit other parts of the island before she departs for the US on Sunday.
Maria Vicentellio, who is spending her first Easter on the island, said curiosity took her to Horseshoe Bay.
“They told me a lot of people were going so I came out to see,” she said, adding: “ I definitely enjoyed myself.”
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