Hundreds of kites will be flying high over Arvada April 13.

The Arvada Festivals Commission, in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Kite Club, is hosting the 11th annual Arvada Kite Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Robby Ferrufino Park at 74th Avenue and Carr Drive.

“It’s one of the biggest kite festivals anywhere,” said festival co-chair Dudley Weiland. April is also National Kite Flying Month.

The festival will give amateur kite-flyers a chance to let their kites soar in a competition as well as give attendees a chance to see the pros guide flying creatures and dancing kites.

The kite competitions are at 10:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. and participants will be divided into two age groups —10 and younger and 11 and older.

Four participants from each age group will be awarded a trophy in the four categories — smallest kite, largest kite, most visually-appealing kite and highest kite.

From 3:15-4 p.m. the Rocky Mountain Kite Club will perform demonstrations.

“Most everyone stays all day to watch the kites in the air,” said festival co-chair Jodi Weiland. “It’s really neat to see all the kites in the air with all the different shapes and colors.”

In preparation for the festival, Majestic View Nature Center and the Susan Duncan YMCA are hosting kite decorating classes for children.

Classes are at 4 p.m. Friday, April 5; at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6; and at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 11 at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St. Another class is at 4 p.m. Friday, April 12 at the YMCA, 6350 Eldridge St.

Each class is one hour long and costs $3.50. Children must be preregistered to participate; to register, call Majestic View at 720-898-7405 or the YMCA at 303-422-4977.

Children will have a chance to fly their creations at the festival at 10:15 a.m.

While the kites are the focus of the festival, there will be entertainment and activities for everyone all day long.

The Mile High Community Band will perform 10-11 a.m. and the Jefferson County Brass Band is playing from 12-1 p.m.

For children, there will be bouncy castles, alpacas, face painting, balloon artists, zorb balls to roll around in, a small train to ride in and much more.

Nearly 60 vendors will be at the event, including about 10 food vendors serving a variety of cuisines and using compostable plates and silverware.

Parking is available at Warder Elementary at 80th Avenue and Carr Drive and at Meyers Pool, 7900 Carr Dr. Shuttle transportation with handicap accessibility will take attendees from the parking lots to the park.

Dogs will not be allowed on the field during the festival.

In case of inclement weather, the festival will be rescheduled for Saturday, April 20.

For more information, visit www.arvada.org/arts-and-culture/kite-festival.