Our Story
The Story of BojiKites
Sometimes being impulsive can get a person into trouble, but in Steve Boote’s case, those impulses often spark something larger than life: a brand-new passion. That’s exactly how #BojiKites began.
In 2018, Steve happened to catch a news segment about Color the Wind, the long-running winter kite festival in Clear Lake, Iowa. For the first time, he witnessed the breathtaking spectacle of Inflatable Show Kites filling the winter sky.
Curious, Steve did a little digging and discovered that New Zealander Peter Lynn had pioneered this extraordinary art form, building a thriving global business through Peter Lynn Kites (PLK). Many of the incredible kites Steve had seen in the broadcast were Lynn’s designs.
And when Steve gets an idea, he doesn’t just toy with it, he dives in headfirst, credit card in hand. Within weeks, he had connected with PLK and purchased their entire available inventory: twelve massive kites.
When the shipment arrived, it felt like Christmas morning. But as Steve stared at the mountain of nylon and tangled lines sprawled across the floor, excitement turned into a moment of “Oh no… what have I done?” Thankfully, his search for help connected him with Blake Pelton of Utah, a PLK dealer, test pilot, and master flyer in the U.S.
With Blake’s expertise and Steve’s enthusiasm, #BojiKites was born. Their first big opportunity came at the 2019 University of Okoboji Winter Games. Steve, his wife Lori, their son Josh, and Blake and his wife Olivia formed the original Kite Team. Their ambitious goal: fly all twelve kites at once.
Thanks to Blake’s skill, and Lori’s life-saving hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps, they succeeded. Against the frozen winds, every kite took flight. As they stood there with numb hands and huge smiles, they knew it was just the beginning of something special.
From that day forward, the vision was clear: #BojiKites wouldn’t just be a one-time display. It would become an annual tradition, with the dream of one day being recognized as the largest kiting event on ice in the world. Blake would recruit world-class kite flyers from across the globe, while Steve handled promotions, logistics, and of course, the hot chocolate.
Though health challenges forced a pause in 2025, the skies will soon be full again. Plans are already underway for a bigger, brighter return in 2026, guided by a new steering committee of Jeff Vierkant, Cassidy Carney, and Heath Williams. With renewed support from Historic Arnolds Park Amusement Park, the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce, and several local donors, #BojiKites is soaring toward an even greater future, ensuring that this extraordinary tradition will lift spirits and color the skies for generations to come
Our team
The People That Make It Happen
Our dedicated steering committee is made up of passionate community members who work year-round to bring the magic of the kite festival to life.
Steve Boote
Founder
Blake Pelton
Co-Founder
Heath Williams
Production
Jeff Vierkant
Finance & Fundraising
Cassidy Carney
Marketing & Media
Events
SCHEDULE COMING SOON
Check back in to learn more about our upcoming events!
faqs
Find the Answers You Need
#BojiKites is a free event that takes takes flight the last weekend in January each year, right alongside the University of Okoboji Winter Games. Mark your calendars and get ready to see the sky filled with color! Looking for more events happening that weekend? Visit uofowintergames.com.
#BojiKites takes place on the frozen bay right off Arnolds Park Amusement Park. There is ample parking within Arnolds Park Amusement Park, as well as additional public parking nearby, allowing you to park close to the festival area. However, please note that parking will fill up quickly due to the University of Okoboji Winter Games taking place. With many other events happening in the area and local restaurants and bars open, public parking in downtown Arnolds Park will be in high demand.
Expect busy roads and heavy traffic, and proceed with caution. Be prepared to walk, as parking spots close to the festival may not be available. The map below highlights all Arnolds Park Amusement Park parking areas, along with nearby public parking options.
We love welcoming kite fliers from near and far! If you’d like to participate, email us at team@bojikites.com for details.
The Iowa Great Lakes offers many great lodging options—but they fill up fast in January. We recommend booking early! Click here to see our full list of local lodging. You can also check out available rentals on Airbnb and Vrbo.
Getting around is easy with several local transportation options:
- Lakes Taxi of Okoboji: 712-339-0329
- Okoboji Cab Services: 712-209-5060
- Golden Mullet Cabs: 712-240-0941
- Lyft & Uber (availability may vary)
Parks Marina Shuttle
Purchase a wristband to ride Parks Marina shuttles all weekend long. The buses run between Parks Marina properties and select hotels. More info at parksmarina.com.
Please celebrate responsibly—never drink and drive.
Safety comes first when it comes to our fliers, volunteers, and attendees. We monitor conditions closely and will share updates on our Facebook page, Facebook Group, Instagram, and email newsletter.
Winter Games and #BojiKites have never been canceled due to lack of snow or ice. Still, always remember: no ice is 100% safe. For questions about conditions, contact the Iowa DNR at 712-336-1840.
Yes!
- Iowa residents: Snowmobiles require a user permit. ATVs/ OHVs don’t need a permit, but proof of insurance is required.
- Non-residents: Both snowmobiles and ATVs/OHVs require a user permit and proof of insurance.
Permits are available at the Dickinson County Recorder’s Office (Courthouse, corner of Hill Ave & Hwys 9/71) or at local retailers like Oak Hill Outdoor, Stan’s Bait & Tackle, Kabele’s Trading Post, Fisherman’s Factory Outlet, Walmart, and more. Click here for ATV registration info and requirements.
More resources:
- Iowa DNR: iowadnr.gov
- Dickinson County SnowHawks: dickinsoncountysnowhawks.com
Important: Ice conditions vary, and no ice is ever completely safe.
Regulations can differ depending on where you are in the Iowa Great Lakes. Each city (and Dickinson County) has its own ordinances. When in doubt, call ahead:
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