LINCOLN CITY, Ore. — As dusk settled over the Oregon coast, hundreds of spectators gathered Friday evening to witness the inaugural Lighted Night Fly at the 45th annual Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival, where LED-illuminated kites danced above the beach under a steady breeze.

The event, organized by Explore Lincoln City and held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the D River State Recreation Site, drew crowds from across the state and beyond for its debut as the festival’s opening act. With winds gusting to around 14 mph, professional kite fliers launched massive inflatable designs into the darkening sky, including a towering astronaut, a glowing squid and other tentacled sea creatures, and a whimsical seahorse, their lights pulsing against the dark.

“This is amazing,” said Christine, a first-time attendee from Sweet Home, as she watched the display from the sand.

Families spread blankets near beach fires, their faces smiling at the kites’ glow, while children scampered through the sand, laughter carrying on the breeze. Sharon, visiting from Portland, echoed the enthusiasm: “This was totally awesome. The kids loved it.” Many leashed dogs dotted the crowd, though it’s unclear how many truly tuned into the aerial show — most seemed more focused on whether that unattended pretzel was fair game.

Busloads of visitors shuttled in and out throughout the evening, ferried to ease congestion along Highway 101. Traffic control crews kept the flow steady, even as nearby businesses buzzed with activity — The Seagulp Convenience Store and kite shop across the highway reported brisk sales, and Bristo’s Place food truck, owned by the Siletz Tribe, served up hot meals to the crowd.

The Night Fly marks a fresh highlight for the longstanding tradition, which continues Saturday and Sunday with daytime demonstrations, free kite-making workshops and carnival games benefiting local charities. “The fall kite festival has been a beloved tradition for nearly half a century and continues to showcase why Lincoln City is known as the kite capital of the world,” said Kim Cooper Findling, director of Explore Lincoln City. “We are thrilled to celebrate the 45th anniversary … and to add the LED Night Fly to what is already a cherished weekend of high-flying fun.”

Only professional fliers operated within the designated beach area, ensuring safety amid the throng — because nothing says “family fun” like dodging a rogue seahorse at 14 mph. Smiles abounded as the kites soared, turning the night sky into a canvas of color and light.

Alaina Werner and Skyler Werner contributed to this story.