Kozhikode: The third edition of the Beypore International Water Fest kicked off on Tuesday. Among various events, the Kite Festival stands out as a key crowd-puller, having grown in popularity over the last two years. 

The water fest will be officially inaugurated by Minister for Tourism P.A. Mohamed Riyas on Tuesday evening. The fest, held from December 26 to 29, will host various events at Beypore Marina Beach, Kozhikode Beach, Chaliyam and Nallur.

This event also attracts kite flyers from around the globe, including participants from Turkey, France, New Zealand, Oman, and Vietnam, as well as from various states in India.

What distinguishes this year's Kite Festival from previous editions is the presence of inflatable kites, adding a unique flair to the event. Notably, a Vietnamese stunt kite flyer will showcase an impressive act by manoeuvring five kites simultaneously, a highlight of this year's festival. 

The Kite Fest organizers are optimistic about expanding the festival's reach in the future. Adding to the excitement, the One India Kite team, which secured victory for India at the Weifang Kite Festival in 2016, will also attend the event.