40th annual summer kite-flying event in Sagaponack

About 400 people are expected to show up at Sagg Main Beach in Sagaponack on Sunday to watch some people go fly a kite. About a hundred of them.

Every year for the past 40 years, people have come to the free summer kite-flying event, sponsored by Dan’s Papers, which picks the judges who select the most colorful, highest-flying and best nautical kites, in more than 20 categories.

Decisions are arbitrary and, for the first time in four decades, the sponsors will actually know how many contestants they have.

It’s the first year there will be a formal registration for contestants. In the past, people just brought their kites, and the judges hunted down the winners in the crowd.

The registration starts at 5:30 p.m., when parking restrictions in the beach parking lot will be suspended. The kite competitions start at 6 p.m. The event is being sponsored by Bide-a-Wee, a humane pet-care organization with shelters in Manhattan, Wantagh and in Westhampton.

While there will be face-painting for children, jugglers and a band, sponsors say people should bring their own chairs, blankets and food.

If there is a threat of lightning, the event will be rescheduled to Aug. 12.

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