Dragons, colorful birds and a blue whale swooped through the air at Onset Beach Saturday while hundreds watched, celebrating the third annual Kite Festival.

The festival began in 2015 and had around 40 attendees, said Eric Guillory, owner of Cape Cod Collectibles, which organizes the event with the Onset Bay Association. This year, Guillory estimated 400 people attended the Kite Festival.

The Onset Bay Association donated free kites for kids to decorate and learn to build. These kites were flown beside more professional ones, including a 24-foot blue whale kite flown by kite hobbyist Steve Lopes.

Lopes said he flies the whale “all the time” wherever he gets a chance. He also has a 42-foot jellyfish kite.

“It’s an inexpensive, fun thing to do with kids,” Lopes said. “It’s a great family activity.” Lopes said he has around $3,000 worth of kites and will continue to fly them until it’s too cold to be outside.

There was also face painting and metal detectors available to keep kids busy on the beach. Kat Jones, president of the Onset Bay Association, said the Kite Festival is always the “last hurrah of summer.” Guillory said it is an opportunity for families to relax and spend time together before school begins. He said the next Kite Festival is planned for spring 2018 because there is usually better wind earlier in the year.