Giant squids, beluga whales, dragons, and nearly every imaginable kite shape were released into the wind last weekend, unspooling from the hands of kite-flyers who descended on Treasure Island. After a year-long hiatus, the once-annual Treasure Island Kite Festival returned, filling the skies with color and the beach with renewed energy.
The festival had been canceled in 2025 due to extensive hurricane damage, leaving a noticeable void for residents, visitors, and business owners alike. Its return this year was especially welcome as beach businesses continue working to regain stability following the impacts of Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
For many local establishments, the festival weekend provided a much-needed economic boost. Business owners reported sales increases of 20 to 30 percent above average, a notable uptick during what is typically a slower season for the area.
Fred Forsley, owner of Seadog Brewing Co., was among those who benefited from the influx of visitors. Despite an unseasonably cold front that forced beachgoers to bundle up in jackets rather than swimsuits, Forsley estimated his business was up 30 percent for the weekend.
“In the future, we need more events both on the beach and in town in Treasure Island,” Forsley said. “Especially during the slower season. We greatly benefit from events—anything from running events to film screenings and festivals. They make a real difference.”
The kite festival’s success comes on the heels of other community events that have helped keep Treasure Island on the map. Last year’s return of Sanding Ovations, the city’s internationally known sand sculpting competition, also drew large crowds after weather-related cancellations in previous years. Together, these events have underscored how vital festivals are to the local economy and community morale.
Throughout the kite festival weekend, hotels were booked solid, while beach bars, restaurants, and shops were packed with visitors eager to enjoy the spectacle and support local businesses. For residents and merchants alike, the bustling sidewalks and lively beachfront offered a glimpse of normalcy—and optimism—after months of recovery.
As colorful kites danced against the Gulf sky, the festival symbolized more than just a weekend of entertainment. It marked a turning point for Treasure Island, reminding the community that with perseverance, collaboration, and a little wind, the city is once again rising.
