DECATUR - John Sellers found it purely a coincidence that he was helping with Kite Fest on Saturday at Progress City USA, despite a rich family history of kite making.

Sellers, now a Realtor with Lyle Campbell & Son, is the grandson of Harvey Sellers, who started Hi-Flier Mfg. Co. in 1921 in Decatur.

The company began in Harvey Sellers' basement and quickly blossomed into one of the world's largest commercial kite manufacturers, producing more than 2 million yearly by 1927.

It employed close to 200 people at its peak. However, in the 1970s, it was sold to the Damon Corp. of Boston and eventually ceased production in Decatur.

John Sellers, who said he hadn't flown a kite in 15 to 20 years, has found himself helping at Kite Fest the past two years. The event, which is in its third year and continues from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, is organized by the Decatur Association of Realtors.

"It's nice to make people aware of Decatur's history of kites," said Sellers, who was helping hand out free kites. "Several generations have passed, and a lot of people don't know about it."

Sellers helped to provide information for a display that included facts about the company's history and other kite flying events in Decatur's past.

@$: This year's Kite Fest brought out fliers from throughout the state.

Team 180Go! from the Illinois Kite Enthusiasts club performed to music on a windy day ideal for kite flying.

"The strong wind does limit what you can do, but we've done this in places with stronger winds," said Chris Babb, a club member from Aurora. "A lot of people aren't used to seeing stunt kiting. I love to see the look on the kids' faces."

Despite a cool temperature, it was hard for Babb and the others to find anything to complain about as he watched kites fill the sky.

"There's kites in the air," Babb said. "That's the best part."

The group was making its second appearance at Kite Fest and would like to see more groups become involved.

Organizers intend to get more fliers out in the future.

"We're growing as much as we can," said Lynn Merritt of Century 21.

John Fay, also of Century 21, traveled to other kite flying events around the country three years ago, researching what it would take to bring a similar event to Decatur.

He would like to convince more clubs to come to the event so they can have competitions.

"If we can prove we can have a kite fest and attract people," Fay said, "that will help us."

Chris Lusvardi can be reached at clusvardi@herald-review.com or 421-7972.