It’s a bird!  It’s a plane!  It’s a giant flying octopus! It’s Merced County’s Sheriff's Huey helicopter!  Well, actually, it could be all four at Livingston's 3rd Annual Kite Festival.

The Merced County Sheriff has confirmed that they will be present at Livingston’s 3rd Annual Kite Festival showcasing its arsenal of crime-fighting tools including a 1973 UH-1H Vietnam-era Huey helicopter, Sheriff’s S.W.A.T. armored vehicle, “Bearcat,” and the Sheriff’s water rescue boat.  Come meet and thank some of the dedicated officers including the pilots and SWAT and dive operators.

The festival Kicks off the Week of the Young Child and is free to the public. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 6 at Livingston Middle School, 101 F St. in Livingston.

Attendees will have the opportunity to enter kite flying and building competitions and win a variety of prizes.  Don’t have a kite?  Don’t worry!  The first 500 kids get a free kite and there will be kite making workshops for children to build their own kites. 

The family-friendly festival will include giant kite flying demonstrations, kite building contests, the Rotary Club of Winton-Nuevo Latino pie eating contests, face painting, bounce houses, crafts, vendor booths, plus various cultural performances.  The festival will also feature safety demonstrations from PG&E, Livingston Police and Fire, California Highway Patrol, and the Merced County Sheriff.

And, of course, the event would not be complete without the  Jim Strealy memorial candy drop, presented by Fluetsch and Busby Insurance. Food will be served by Central Valley Knights of Columbus.

For more information about the event and vendor application, visit:  www.livingstonKiteFestival.com.