Go fly a kite ... and pet a dog

Kidz 'N' Kites 2013 is going to the dogs. Or rather, the dogs - and cats - are coming to "Kidz 'N' Kites," on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Veterans Memorial Park, 7000 Lockport Road, Town of Niagara.

The Niagara County SPCA has joined the list of entertainers at the annual event that has been providing fun activities for families for the past 16 years.

"Come fly with us in celebration of youth" is the maxim of the dozens of activities that provide sports, fun, food and learning to children and their parents every year at the park.

Registration will be at 11 a.m. for all children participating. The first 1,000 to register will receive an event T-shirt, a free hot dog lunch, the chance to win dozens of prizes, and, of course a kite. Fly time will be noon to 2 p.m.

Along with members of the SPCA who are planning to bring some adoptable animals, there will be clowns, face painting, a kite flying demonstration, the Niagara Falls Police Department Command Center, animal and wildlife rescue groups, the Niagara Falls Fire Department Safety House, the Elks Lodge Soccer Kick, the Steve Baldo Ford Soccer Skills Challenge, a car safety seat check, music by D.J. the Dee Jay, and the famous juggler Nels Ross.

"Kidz 'N' Kites" is run by volunteers and is sponsored by the Niagara County Department of Social Services, the County Youth Bureau, the County Sheriff's D.A.R.E. program, Niagara PAL, the Town of Niagara, Bonodio Group, WKBW-TV/DT, the Jonathan "J-Mill" Miller Memorial Giving Fund, the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston, M&T Bank, Elks Lodge 346, Niagara-Orleans Central Labor Council, George Edwards Jewelers, Clark Patterson Lee, Niagara's Choice Credit Union, Modern Disposal, Wegmans, Sahlen's, Fresh Bake, Reid's Drive In, Mighty Taco and Wendy's.

The rain date is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 15. For more information, call 716-439-7602.