It's that time of year again. You can look into the sky and see flying birds and butterflies, cats and dogs, geckos and lobsters, fish and octopi. The 9th Annual SPI Kite Fest, sponsored by B&S Kites, is scheduled for Jan. 31 -Feb. 1. The festival runs Saturday & Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the flats just north of the Convention Centre on South Padre Island. Admission is free and the public is invited to enjoy the spectacular kite displays, performances, demos, free lessons and more. This year guest performer John Barresi, from Portland, Oregon, returns for the third year in a row.  John is a national quad-line and dual-line kite champion and leader of the renowned IQUAD team. He has flown as a member of national as well as World Cup kite teams. He has traveled the world entertaining audiences with his kite flying skills and innovative performances. Accompanying Barresi again this year will be quad-line teammate, David Hathaway, from Vancouver, Canada, as well as Barry Poulter of Lakewood, Washington, and Steve de Rooy of Victoria, Canada. Together the team will perform awesome routines as the nationally known flying group I-Quad. There are eight members total on the world touring team, and the presence of these  members of the team represents a major sport attraction for the SPI festival. Team EOL from Austin will be returning this year to perform as well. If you have never seen this group perform before, you are in for a treat. Led by Eddie Zihlman and accompanied by Jim Cox, Michael Boswell and Ben Gray, these guys are something to see. The festival would not be complete without special performances by our own local Team SPI. The team is made up of Jeff and Donna McCown from Harlingen and Guy Blatnik from South Padre Island.  If you've ever driven by the flats on a Saturday morning, you've probably seen this group practicing. Many Winter Texans will be adding to the festival as well. These volunteers are all part of the extended family that makes up the SPI Kite Fest. Festival organizers credit the success and growth of the festival to their efforts and dedication over the past few years. As well as special performances froma number of participating professional and ametuer flyers, there will be silent auctions going on throughout the event. And a visit to the fest would not be complete without stopping by the main tent and registering for free kite giveaways. Food will be available to purchase from the Laguna Madre Christian Academy. On Saturday evening following the festival there will be a banquet and live auction held at Isla Grand Resort.  Banquet tickets are $15 per person and are available at B&S Kites. Advance tickets are required to attend this year’s banquet. Organizers say this year’s festival is going to be the biggest and best ever. Bring your lawn chairs and sunscreen and be prepared for exciting kite action at the flats. Call Bill and Susie Doan at B&S Kites at (956) 761-1248.