Kitty Hawk Kites 50th Anniversary Celebration

Kitty Hawk Kites 50th Anniversary Celebration

Kitty Hawk Kites Celebrates 50 Years of Adventure!

Who: Kitty Hawk Kites and the Outer Banks community

What: 50th Anniversary Community Mixer

Where: Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head, NC

When: Thursday, May 16th at 5:00 PM

Special Guest: John Jacobs, founder of Life is Good


Join us as we celebrate a significant milestone—50 years of Kitty Hawk Kites! This special evening will kick off with a community mixer at Jennette’s Pier, offering a chance for locals and visitors alike to mingle and revel in the festive atmosphere. This event is free and open to the public, ensuring everyone can join in the fun.

The celebration will feature light refreshments and entertainment, followed by an inspiring talk from our guest speaker, John Jacobs, the founder of Life is Good. His message of optimism and community fits perfectly with the spirit of Kitty Hawk Kites.

Founded in 1974 by John Harris, Kitty Hawk Kites started as a small hang gliding school and has grown into a renowned retail and outdoor recreation company. With over 28 store locations and more than 25 unique adventures offered along the East Coast, Kitty Hawk Kites has been committed to its core values of fun, quality, safety, and exceptional customer service. This event is not only a reflection of our past achievements but also a launch into future endeavors.

Throughout the year, we are hosting a series of events to commemorate this golden anniversary. These include:

  • KHK Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular (May 16-19)
  • Rogallo Kite Festival (June 14-15)
  • Wright Memorial Kite Festival (July 19-20)
  • Outer Banks Kite Festival (September 13-14)
  • Kites with Lights (November 30)

In addition to these events, we will be releasing special 50th anniversary merchandise and sharing archival photos and stories across our online channels.

For more information on our 50th-anniversary celebrations and to learn more about Kitty Hawk Kites, please visit our anniversary page at www.kittyhawk.com/50years.

We look forward to seeing you at Jennette’s Pier and celebrating half a century of adventure and community spirit together!


This event is made possible by the support of our dedicated staff, loyal customers, and the vibrant community of the Outer Banks. We are excited to continue uplifting experiences and teaching the world to fly for many more years to come. Join us as we soar into the future!

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