Rain and gale-force winds have ruined the past two events and wet weather has been forecast for most of the week heading into this year’s event on Sunday, November 15.

But the Stanwell Park CWA are hoping third time is a charm and skydivers will descend from the clouds, Bi-planes will twirl and flip, historic aircraft will buzz the beach while hanggliders and kites will festoon the sky.

The annual festival, celebrating the achievements of aviation pioneer Lawrence Hargrave, this year marks the centenary of his passing.

On November 12, 1894, Hargrave became the first person in the world to achieve vertical lift-out, climbing 16 feet under the power of his four box kites.

Hargrave’s revolutionary work at Stanwell Park was never patented and he shared his discoveries with the Wright Brothers, who refined his designs.

The Festival of Flight celebrates and acknowledges the significance of Stanwell Park as the “Birthplace of Flight” with historical displays and all things aerial.

Local artist John Vander and his wife Frances ran the first Festival of Flight at Stanwell Park in 1998.

Over the years the festival has built up a reputation for celebrating Hargrave, who lived in Stanwell Park from 1893 to 1899. A spokeswoman said a sea of colour would adorn the skies above Stanwell Park on Sunday, with colourful hang-gliders, paragliders and replica box kites.

This year’s festival at Stanwell Park Reserve includes market stalls, live music throughout the day, amusement rides for the young ones and a range of fabulous food.

It starts at 10am, with Lawrence Hargrave relative Rick Colless to officially open the event at 11.30am.

The Festival of Flight is hosted by the Stanwell Park Branch of the CWA with support from the Lawrence Hargrave Centre and Wollongong City Council.