When was the last time the wind did more for you than mess up your hair?

Robert Guy Bickers has fond memories of the wind providing more than a new hairdo: a day’s worth of entertainment.

“I grew up in Amarillo, Texas, which I think is the second-windiest place in the country, and every year the city had a big municipal kite fest,” Bickers says. “My wife and I moved here two years ago, and I hadn’t heard about anything like that here. And I thought we have this nice, big windy hill: ‘Hey, let’s go fly kites and get other people to do it.'”

Bickers took the idea to the owners of the hill in question, his church, First United Methodist, then organized the inaugural Lawrence Kitefest. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church’s west campus, 867 Highway 40.

There is no admission fee, and the public is encouraged to come and enjoy flying kites. Those attending are welcome to bring a sack lunch and stay for the afternoon.

“This is its inaugural year, this is the first time we’ve tried it,” Bickers says. “We started it at the church because we were trying to think of ways to get nonchurch members in, just people in the community to find out more about our church, but also just to come out and have fun.”