FARMINGTON – If the weather cooperates, KiteFest, a community kite flying event, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Prescott Field on the campus of the University of Maine at Farmington.

KiteFest was planned as part of the “On Our Minds: Understanding Afghanistan” programs surrounding the reading of “The Kite Runner” during March at UMF.

Plans include demonstrations of stunt and fighter kites from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by members of kite clubs, the N’oreasters of Portland, and Kites Over New England.

The public is welcome to bring their own kites to fly. The event is free and open to the public. In case of rain, an announcement will be read Saturday morning on local radio station WKTJ.

In preparation for the KiteFest, a kite making workshop was offered Friday afternoon and again from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Everyone’s Resource Depot in the new Education Center on campus.

Depot Director Mary Ryan said the kites will be made from all recycled materials. Three kite patterns were available to help participants create their own. An easy bag kite offered a chance for children to color a brown paper bag and add a bridle and tail.

Ashley McDonald, Depot student worker, was helping kids create a stapled sled kite out of regular paper with decorations and tails added. A third kite was simply made from a plastic bag with straws glued to hold it up and colored with markers.