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ST. GEORGE -- The red rock skyline of St. George boasted even more colors than usual Saturday. Kites soared through the blue sky for most of the afternoon.
The Dixie Escalante Electric Kite Festival attracts thousands of families each year with the goal to celebrate reading.
This year, over 20,000 people were expected to attend, along with 100 volunteers.
Each year, children who meet reading goals get to attend and fly a kite.
"The Kite Festival is an incentive to get kids to read in all of Washington County," said director Joe McKeehan.
Organizers also raise enough money from the festival to donate $30,000 to the Washington County School District Foundation. Parents appreciate how the kites lift schools and reading interest.
"It doesn't get any easier when you're older," said parent Jennifer Kirkland. "If they don't love reading now, they're not going to love it when they get older. They'll miss out on a whole lot of things if they hate reading."
Our Read Today incentive salutes St. George readers. We have more incentives to offer -- the school with the most students who read 100 minutes wins a burger party delivered by the Easter Bunny.
Go to Read Today to track your minutes.
