The Coolum Kite Festival was initiated in 2000 by Justine Coleman, along with a group of friends, Turina Marchant, Amanda Thompson and Karin Allen. This team of passionate individuals had the vision to bring this colourful and creative festival to Coolum. The first festival, held on 8 October 2000, was a huge success with a large number of sponsors, and the support of the Queensland Kite Flyers Society. The festival highlighted international, national and local kiteflyers and crowds for the day were estimated at 12,000. This spectacular inaugural event put Coolum on the map as a serious kite flying destination and show cased the wonderful features of our town.

Year 2001 saw another fantastic festival with a new format covering 2 days, features of this event included a magical twilight lantern parade, fireworks display and night kite flying! Although planning commenced for the 2002 festival unfortunately it was not staged due to insurance issues.

The 2003 festival was co-ordinated by the fresh faces of a new organising committee linked with Coolum Chamber of Commerce. This festival enjoyed the generous sponsorship of a national developer and local business, as well as a grant from the Commonwealth Government. This support along with a lot of hard work culminated in the biggest festival to date with crowds estimated at up to 20,000. Features of this festival included kite arch displays involving 480 school children, rokakku kite fighting, skydiving displays and a mig jet aerial display not to mention the most spectacular array of kites in skies throughout the day.