Kites fly high over Demopolis

July 13, 2020July 13, 2020 Jan McDonald Alabama, Demopolis, Kite, LaToya Witherspoon

Saturday may have been a hot one in Demopolis, but the temperature didn’t keep 32 families from enjoying each other as they flew kites.

The event had another purpose other than kite-flying. It was designed to fulfill a need discovered in a survey last year and to correct behavioral health disparity in the county, said LaToya Witherspoon, director of Marengo County Community in Action, sponsor of the experience.

Eight-year-old Keiviana flies two kites on Saturday, one that reached 800 feet and the second, 500 feet.

A survey of 10^th-12^th graders identified the need for more family-centered activities in Demopolis. A focus group developed the idea for kite flying, and sponsors in the area donated some 100 kites for the event.

Witherspoon said 56 kites were handed out to those who came to the City Landing.

Sponsors for the program included Vowell’s, Parr’s Chevron, Marathon Gas Station, Demopolis City Schools and the Demopolis City Council.