The Year 2008 marks the 33rd anniversary of The Kite Loft, premiere kite retailer of the world.

From its humble beginnings on a side street off the ocean in downtown Ocean City, Maryland, The Kite Loft now boasts three locations in the resort, with its headquarters on 5th Street on the Boardwalk. The Kiteloft hosts world wide Kiting Events annually. These events draw contestants, exhibitors and visitors from around the world.

Entry into the store transports you to a world of brilliant colors, spinning windsocks, flying toys, whizzing rubberbands, floating kinetics, tinkling wind chimes, sky chairs, windwheels and, of course, lots of kites.

The Kite Loft was founded by Bill "King of the Wind" Ochse, who by his sheer energy and natural charisma managed to elevate Ocean City to its status of Kite Capital of the World by 1978. Currently, The Kite Loft is owned and operated by Jay and Mary Lynn Knerr who have strived to maintain that status. Ocean City, Maryland hosts two International Kite Festivals, held every last weekend in April and third weekend after Labor Day. Click here for details on these extraordinary spectacles of aerial displays.

In the meantime, go fly a kite, and if you don't have one yet, come to The Kite Loft, where the fun begins!