Add your fingerprint to the sky with this kite design

You may not often see kites lining the Chattanooga sky, but after Oct. 8, that's bound to change.

At least, Chuck Jones hopes it will.

That Saturday, thousands are expected to be drawn to the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, where dozens of kites will be afloat for RiverRocks' breathtaking Sculpture in the Sky event. Jones, owner of Chattanooga's River City Kites and one of the event's organizers, hopes spectators fall in love with the soaring "sculptures" for the same reason he did as a kid: the diversity.

Painting the sky will be kites of all shapes, sizes and colors, and Jones encourages everyone to bring their own kite to add to the aerial parade. While there are a number of different kite types, fighter kites are Jones' favorite, and, he adds, they are relatively easy to make.

What you need:

• Paper or plastic
• Dowel rods
• Tape
• String

1. Cut a large square out of newspaper to use as your kite's sail. Other materials can be used as well, such as a grocery bag, garbage bag or vinyl picnic tablecloth.

2. Tilt the square sideways so it's shaped like a diamond, then place the first rod vertically on the sail. This will be your kite's spine. Make sure it runs straight down the center of the sail, extending from end to end.

3. Secure the spine by taping it to the sail, if using paper. If using plastic, use string to tie the edges to the top and bottom points of your sail.

4. Tie or tape one end of the second rod to the left corner of the sail.

5. Bend the rod so the other end reaches the right corner of the sail, then tape or tie that corner as well. This second rod will be your spar. Make sure it curves upward, as this will give the fighter its trademark erratic movement.

6. Tie or tape the two rods together where they meet in the middle. You're almost there!

7. Cut a piece of string twice as long as your kite's spine.

8. Flip the kite over and poke one small hole on the left side and one small hole on the right side of the spine, just above where it meets the spar. Thread a piece of string through the holes, then tie a knot to secure the sail to the spine.

9. Make two similar holes a couple of inches below the spar and thread the other end of the string through it. This string will be your bridle.

10. Pull the bridle up by the middle to make a triangle, then tie a long piece of string, which will be your line, to the top point.

11. Cut any leftover paper or plastic into thin strips, then tie them together to make your kite's tail. Make a long tail if you want your kite to stay steady in the air; make a short tail if you want it to zip through the sky.