"Kiting is much better in person. Videos and pictures can't capture the full panoramic view the spectator is able to enjoy. It reminds you of the Albuquerque Balloon festival, with all these different color kites in the air. We also have a couple of different kiting schools involved with the event. The neat thing about kiting is you start out learning how to fly with a trainer kite, a small one. You get a feeling for steering and handling the kite before they move you up to a big-size kite that's actually going to pull you somewhere. The schools are really good at teaching the sport's safety techniques. And trust me, you don't want to learn safety the hard way — you'd mush rather learn through an instructor."

Michael Fox, co-director, 10th Annual Mille Lacs Kite Crossing, through Sunday at Lake Mille Lacs