Spring winds Saturday aided children flying their own handcrafted kites at Father Marinaro Park.

The Art Center, 344 S. Main St., hosted a kite celebration to conclude a monthlong display of kites from the American Kitefliers Association.

A few children assembled their own kites at the center, then went to the park to test them out.

Frank Seidita of New Middletown, Ohio, taught the children how to make the slit kites.

“They're an inexpensive kite, but they fly great,” he said. “And kids love to make them.”

Seidita provided a variety of kites from his collection to be displayed at the center this month. It's something he doesn't do often.

“It's the longest I've parted with them,” he joked.

Seidita said he and his wife, Barb, have nearly 300 kites.

“Many of them are one of a kind,” he said.

One in particular on display was a large blue and white piece.

“The man who made it was in an accident, and he made it after spending a year in a coma,” Seidita said.

The children's creations were one of a kind as well.

Marcus Ortiz, 8, of Penn Township said he was excited to build a kite.

“I love flying them,” he said. “But I usually get them at the store. It's my first time making one.”

His grandfather, Fred Kinnick of Butler, said they try to fly kites often.

“We went out last weekend but didn't have a lot of wind,” he said. “It looks good today.”

Alison Smith, 7, of Butler was excited to design her kite, which featured a colorful butterfly.

“I really like butterflies and nature,” she said.

Alison said she had little experience with kites before the event.

“I flew one before but I think it blew away,” she said, promising to hold onto her kite's string tighter this time when its in the air.

Addy Evanko, 6, of Center Township made a pink kite to support her gymnastics club.

While Addy also had limited kite experience, she was happy her grandmother brought her to the event.

“It's a lot of fun,” she said.