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July/August 2004 issue	IN THIS ISSUE: Table of Contents Feature: Powwow trail The Inside Story Editor's Notebook Reverberations Explorer À la carte Mosaic Re:Sources

Few places in North America are windier than Pincher Creek, Alta., where gales have been clocked at more than 150 kilometres per hour. The blustery town of 3,660 in the foothills of southwestern Alberta is known for its expertise in harnessing wind for electricity. So it seems only natural that it should host one of the largest kite festivals in Western Canada — at none other than Windy Point, on the Oldman River.The inaugural Pincher Creek Kite Festival was held in 1991, but it didn't get off to a soaring start. "The first year, it was flooded out. The second year, there was no wind," says Pete Rickard, who organizes the exhibition with his wife Joan and a crew of volunteers. "Since then, we've had nothing but wind and good luck." About 10,000 visitors come from as far away as New Zealand for the weekend fest in July, which focuses on artful kite-flying displays and children's activities, rather than competition.

"It's more than just a kite festival," says Ray Bethell, a champion kite flyer from Vancouver who has attended the annual event since its inception. "It's a huge family gathering."

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