Ocean Crest Community Church in Campbell River, B.C. recently hosted its first family kite festival on the waterfront of Campbell River.

Church members helped build 200 kites with kids who attended."It was all free and donated by people from Ocean Crest Church." says Cpt David Allen, church pastor.

Allen said the Salvation Army chose kites because of what they symbolize. "The message is simple. Kites represent freedom, and at the heart of the Salvation Army's mission is the good news of discovering real freedom," he said.

The festival included many free activities such as live music, face painting, gospel bracelets a bounce-a-rama and banana splits.

Special guests for the weekend were Mjr Beverly Ivany, secretary or candidates and Mjr David Ivany, territorial youth secretary.