The high winds may have been a bit too fierce for many kite-flying hopefuls, but hundreds of people packed out Horseshoe Bay for traditional Good Friday celebrations nevertheless.Live entertainment provided by the Chewstick Foundation helped generate an upbeat atmosphere as, despite swirling gusts, the bright sunny skies gave families plenty to smile about.As ever at the beginning of the Easter weekend, the heavens were adorned with pretty colours and shapes, as revellers of all ages sent their range of dragons, fish and princesses into the air.Unfortunately, many of them didn't make it too far before coming straight back down again, and it seemed the tissue paper and wood Bermudian kites struggled the most in the difficult conditions.Hughie Smith, 76, of Hamilton Parish, was happy to be a spectator, keeping his homemade red and black checked kite safely in his arms.“It's too windy today,” Mr Smith told The Royal Gazette.“This kite took four nights to make and I'm not going to go fly it on this crowded beach. It wouldn't fly anyway in this wind.”Mr Smith said he would be taking his creation to Shelly Bay, his usual choice of kite-flying venue, and hope for friendlier conditions later in the day.He said he has been making kites for 50 years and likes to bring them to Horseshoe to show them off, even if he doesn't fly them.“I don't know how the tradition started but it's a good tradition,” he added. “I will continue to make them as long as I am able.”Brian Erdelyi, 40, said his homemade kite had performed in a manner befitting the Toronto Maple Leafs logo he'd imprinted on it.It did well for a very brief moment before nosediving rapidly, said Mr Erdelyi, a Canadian hockey fan who moved to Bermuda last year.His wife Natalie Martis noted first-time kite-maker Mr Erdelyi's efforts to fit into his community, telling this newspaper: “He was up until two o'clock in the morning, drinking Dark and Stormies, doing this thing.“I think this event is fabulous. It's absolutely amazing seeing all the kids and families coming together like this.“This is the spirit of Bermuda. This is my first time being here for Easter and I'm totally enjoying it.”Chewstick took over the reins of the event from the United Bermuda Party for the first time this year. Performers included folk, reggae and gospel singers and Gombeys.Useful websites: www.chewstick.orgFor more Good Friday pictures clickhere