Contributing writer

Winds off the Strait of Juan de Fuca create debris — downed tree limbs, overturned garbage cans, dislodged gutters. But these same winds bring the area’s most absorbing outdoor weekend: Whidbey Island Kite Festival and Sport Kite Championship.

Kites of every description, color and configuration will fill the skies today and Sunday, to the delight of kite fanciers, kite flyers and the simply kite curious. Organizers expect at least 6,000 to 8,000 people at Camp Casey Conference Center for the two-day flaunting of flights of fancy.

“All the kites hanging and moving in the wind are gorgeous,” Whidbey Island kiteflyer Marjorie Taylor said. “And it’s all ages out here flying kites or watching.”

All year round, Taylor and many others find Whidbey’s seemingly constant winds and open areas perfect for launching, or attempting to launch, kites.

This year’s kite festival includes two kite raffles, one of the 2003 logo kite and a one-of-a-kind sport kite.

The featured flyer, Barry Poulter of Lakewood, designs, builds and decorates kites. Poulter will show many of his kites as well as demonstrate kite-flying.

“Barry’s kites are always superbly made and look amazing,” Taylor said.

The festival provides lessons and demonstrations for kiteflyers of all levels, with all types of kites.

Even people who normally lose their contraptions to kite-eating trees or permanently tangled lines will find help and encouragement, Taylor said.