Strong winds Saturday made for perfect flying conditions if you took part in the annual Sequoyah State Park Kid’s Kite Flight Workshop.

The workshop, held from 1-3 p.m. at Paradise Cove, was a free event for children of any age. According to Lieutenant Park Ranger Barry Hardaway, the event is sponsored by a partnership of the park, Western Hills Guest Ranch, and the Sequoyah Park Partners.

“This event is just for the public and trying to get people in the park,” Hardaway said.

Park Pal, the park’s mascot, passed out coloring books as children sat on picnic tables drawing for the art contest. Top winners of the art contest received a large kite. Other activities included face painting, balloon animals by Rusty the Rodeo Clown and pony rides by the Sequoyah Riding Stables.

Jennifer Kelly, 5, clutched the string on her sister’s kite as it took flight in the air. “I’ve never flew a kite before,” she shouted back to her mother. Kelly was one of approximately 200 children who have visited the workshop this year.

Sharon Wilson, 32 of Muskogee, brought her family out, despite chilly temperatures.

“They like it,” Wilson said. “It was fun. It gave them something to do. It’s cold, so that’s why were leaving early.”

Dozens of children withstood the crisp wind for the fun, as their creations peppered the cloudy sky. The sled kites, made of bamboo sticks and a thin piece of plastic, were decorated by the kid’s choice with different designs and multi-colored streamers.

Shannon Nicholas of Luther was staying with her family at the guest ranch. She watched as her daughter, Emily, put the finishing touches on her kite. She proudly showed Emily’s art work, which was a portrait of a kite flying over water.

“We are staying in the cabins,” Nicholas said. “We actually planned to come here, and we made reservations to get a cabin. I came when I was a kid to Western Hills, so that’s why I wanted to bring my kids. This is our first time to come to this.”

Another out-of-town family waited patiently in line for a pony ride. “We’ve done the kites at Edmond,” said Elizabeth Glathar of Edmond. “We do it every year at home. This is a beautiful lake and a nice park. We love it here.”

The park’s next scheduled event is the Sequoyah Fest to be held April 19. Activities will include free paddle boat rides, a nature trail hike, pony rides, archery contest and a basketball shoot-out. Information: 772-2046 or (800) 368-1486.