It was a sunny Saturday in May, and the shouts of the P.S. 132 students eagerly anticipating the impending summer filled the air in McCarren Park.
Oh, and so did a whole lot of kites.
The fourth annual P.S. 132 kite festival featured a dazzling array of kites made by P.S. 132 (320 Manhattan Avenue) parents themselves.
These talented parents learned the craft from seminars they attended as part of a grant from Parents As Art Partners, an organization that seeks to supplement underfunded school art programs by getting parents involved.
Parents also sold hand-made arts and crafts, which along with concessions, helped bring in around $9,000 to the school’s PTA.
In addition to the kites, the event featured performances by some talented local bands, including the legendary Marching Band of I.S. 318 (101 Walton Street) and Bubble do Beatles, known for their creative Beatles re-makes.
In between sets, young dancers from Studio Metro Dance and Movement and the future black-belts from the Greenpoint Shotokan Karate school performed.
Overall, at least 2,500 people attended the event, which ran from noon to 5 p.m.
“To see that many families out in the park together flying kites and making crafts was awesome,” said event organizer and PS 132 parent Leslye Leaness.
“The added layer of all-day entertainment, the kids performing, and our neighborhood hanging together as a whole regardless of whether they have children was priceless.”
