A stunning display with colorful creations highlighted the Cape Town International Kite Festival over the weekend. The annual event, now in its 22nd year, continued to draw in local and international kiting enthusiasts who displayed their hand made kites, most of which were truly impressive.

Cape Town kite festival draws thousands from around the world

In addition to being a recreational event during the area's windy season, the festival is in support of a good cause as well.

"The Cape Town International Kite Festival is the largest kite festival in Africa. And the difference with this kite festival compared to the other kite festivals across the world, is that the kiters who come here are flying for a cause, and that is to provide awareness about mental health and mental disability," said Ingrid Daniels, one of the organizers of the festival.

Large kites in the shape of a dragon, a fish and even a giant squid stole the show. Kids were also encouraged to try their hand at building and flying their own kites.

Over the years, the number of kiters attending the event has grown as word spreads locally and abroad about Cape Town's favorable kiting conditions.

Many have been frequent guests of the festival.

"We have come from New Zealand. It's our second time at the Cape Town International Kite Festival. And so we've been here two years not in a row but we skipped one. But we've had a chance to make some bigger and better kites for them this year," said Craig Hansen, a kite flyer from New Zealand.

"This is very exciting for me to come back here. The last is two years back. The aim really was to come back and to make it happen at this festival in Cape Town. I love it," said Singaporean kiter Gaddis Widhyati.

The festival is not a competition with winners and losers, but simply an event where people with a fascination and interest in kiting can come together and have fun.