Kites on the Green event in Johnston (2026)

2026 marks the 14th year for the Kites on the Green event in Johnston, Iowa. It’s being held on Saturday, May 2nd at the Johnston Commons Park and features a day full of family fun activities.

When: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Johnston Commons Park, 6050 Morningside Drive

What kind of kites are featured at Kites on the Green?

At Kites on the Green, you’ll see at least three general types of kites:

1. Professional Kites. These are not your normal kites – they are typically really large kites in the shape of animals like fish, whales, horses, and some as other objects like astronauts.
2. Stunt Kites. At various times throughout the day, stunt kites will be performing. They are two-line controlled kites and can perform special moves, some of which have crazy names like the turtle, the fade, and the full monty.
3. Standard sport kites. In fact, they will have a station available for make n fly kites, where you make your own kite.

Are events scheduled at certain times or do they run all day long?

Technically, the entire event runs from 10am to 5pm and there are both scheduled events and all-day events.

Scheduled events:

• 10:00 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies
• 10:15 a.m. – Stilt Walking with Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
• 10:30 a.m. – No-Knots Stunt Team Performance
• 10:00–11:15 a.m. – Balloon animals with Jonathan May
• 11:00 a.m. – Fire and Ice Team Performance
• 11:15 a.m. – Circus Show with Aerial artist Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
• 11:25 a.m. – Running of the Bols
• 11:30 a.m. – Stilt Walking with Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
• 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Magic with Jonathan May
• 11:45 a.m. – Water Ball Performers with Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
  
• 12:15 p.m. – Circus Show with Aerial
• 12:15–2:00 p.m. – Balloon animals with Jonathan May
• 12:30 p.m. – Running of the Bols
• 1:00 p.m. – Stilt Walking with Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
• 1:00-1:30 p.m. – School of Rock band performance
• 1:15 p.m. – Circus Show with Aerial artist, Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
• 1:45 p.m. – Water Ball Performers with Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
• 2:00 p.m. – No-Knots Stunt Team Performance
• 2:15 p.m. – Circus Show with artist Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
• 2:15-3:00 p.m. – School of Rock band performance
• 2:30 p.m. – Stilt Walking with Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
• 2:30–3:00 p.m. – Magic show with Jonathan May 
• 2:45 p.m. – Water Ball Performers with Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
  
• 3:15 p.m. – Circus Show with Aerial artist Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
• 3:15–4:15 p.m. – Balloon animals with Jonathan May
• 3:30 p.m. – Fire and Ice Team Performance
• 3:45 p.m. – Water Ball Performers with Laura Ernst, Kinetic Entertainment
• 4:00 p.m. – Running of the Bols
• 4:30–5:00 p.m. – Magic show with Jonathan May 
• 5:00 p.m. – Closing Ceremonies

All Day Events

• Giant Show Kite Demonstrations
• Free Make-n-Fly Kite Kits
• T-shirts, Kites and More! – Information Tent
• Candy Drop – Show Kite Field

Are there other activities besides kites?

• Giant Show Kite Demonstrations: Show Kite Field
• Free Make-n-Fly Kite Kits: Veridian Kite-Making Barn
• Inflatable Obstacle Course: North of the Library
• Tours of the 1902 Simpson House: The 1902 Simpson House Museum
• Sidewalk Chalk: West of Library & east of the Barn
• Candy Drop: Show Kite Field
• Face painting: (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) West of the Library
• Spin Art: (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) West of the Library
• Meet with Police and Fire Departments: Parking lot west of the Library
• Food Trucks: North of the Johnston Commons Playground
• T-shirts, Kites and More!: Information Tent