OH, GO FLY A PARAFOIL. Ocean City, Md., expects some 20,000 spectators at its yearly Sunfest Kite Festival (Sept. 23-26). Hundreds of fliers stage fighter kite battles and perform stunt demos, some with contraptions of up to 500 square feet. Bid on your own at the Great American Kite Auction and have your delta, parafoil or box model be among 200 kites riding the wind at the same moment during one of the mass ascensions. The concurrent Sunfest, which turns 30 this year, features big top tents with pumpkin carving and pie-eating contests, with entertainment by the Drifters, the Marvelettes and others.
Free; evening musical acts require ticket purchase. Kite festival 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunfest Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. About 2 1/2 hours from the Beltway in Ocean City. 800-626-2326, www.ococean.com. -- Anne McDonough
