Bel Air Kite Festival, Arbor Day, Farmers' Market Opening On April 9

BEL AIR, MD — This weekend will mark several special occasions in Bel Air.

For the 15th year, the town is coordinating with volunteers to bring the Bel Air Kite Festival to Rockfield Park as a family-friendly event.

The Bel Air Kite Festival has grown to attract thousands of Harford County residents, according to Bel Air Mayor Kevin Bianca, who said the American Kitefliers Association also supports the event.

During this week's Town Hall meeting, Bianca proclaimed April 9 as Bel Air Kite Day.

"The town of Bel Air encourages all town residents to go fly a kite," Bianca said. Sponsor APGFCU will be giving away 750 kites at Rockfield Park for the event.

Town officials honored Allen Ault, who started the Bel Air Kite Festival in 2006.

Ault, his friends from Wings Over Washington Kite Club and his family make the event what it is, Town Clerk Michael Krantz said, presenting a certificate of appreciation to Ault for founding the festival.

"We earnestly express our deepest appreciation and gratitude for your selfless commitment and steadfast volunteerism displayed year after year, bringing the joys of kite-flying to our community," Krantz said at the Town Hall meeting.

The Bel Air Kite Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 9. If it rains, the festival will be on Sunday, April 10. The event is at Rockfield Park, 501 E. Churchville Rd., Bel Air.

Check the Bel Air forecast from the National Weather Service.

See Also: Kite Festival In Bel Air — 750 Free Kites 'Will Go Quickly'

Saturday will be also Bel Air Arbor Day, the mayor announced at the Town Hall meeting on Monday.

"Providing tree, shrub and pollinator plantings to [sustain] the urban forest is the goal of Arbor Day 2022," sponsored by the Bel Air Tree Committee, Bianca said, reading a proclamation designating April 9 as Bel Air Arbor Day 2022.

Bel Air's Arbor Day precedes National Arbor Day, which the Arbor Day Foundation designated as is April 29.

The Bel Air Farmers' Market is opening for the season on Saturday, and the town will give away free seedlings to celebrate Bel Air Arbor Day.

"Get there early," Tree Committee Chair Michael Simini said. Within two or two and a half hours, he said, the seedlings are usually gone.

With the tree giveaway, the mayor said the town will provide instructions on how to care for the seedlings as well.

The Bel Air Farmers' Market is in the parking lot of the Mary Risteau Courthouse at 2 South Bond Street from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Related: Bel Air Farmers' Market To Feature 3 New Vendors For 2022