Things to Do

Let’s Go Fly a Kite: Austin Kite Festival

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Spring is in the air. The windy days are coming.  Consequently, that can only mean one thing.  It is time for the annual Austin Kite Festival! Held every year on the first Sunday in March, the Austin Kite Festival welcomes spring to Central Texas. Since 1929, Austinites have been making their own kites to soar high in the Texas sky. So, dust off those kite making skills and let’s go fly a kite.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/criminalintent/6807787574/in/photolist-bnzG4Q-7LkjPQ-64tLjA-7L8B7E-Civm4-4vLCBY-DF1bm-4vLF5Q-64qpLT-4wAZSW-4vGwKk-4vLBg9-dZz3T8-CpGxo-4SRjVU-dZECf9-4vHRoR-CqyC3-64qeWb-9ondqX-64qpPe-4vLBvN-7Lgo2t-dZyUqB-dZEytW-4vGuQD-4vGwv8-4vLB3J-eSBWq5-4vGzsR-9qaJnN-CF5Xv-7KM8Yi-64uEz5-64wJpL-7Lgmok-CF7jQ-7LgntX-64qpMk-4vLD4f-dZyTYc-4vGzcF-CF7jK-CF5WP-dZEAnY-4vMUZ9-7KM8Vk-4vLCoA-Chjxa-dZEMb5Photo: Flickr/Lars Plougmann

The March 5 event, held at Zilker Park, is free and there will be plenty to do from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.  There will be two kite making stations at the park along with other family friendly activities. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome to join in the fun as well. Anyone can enter the kite contest with only a few major rules to follow. The first rule is the kite must be homemade. An additional rule is that it is a single line kite.  There are, however, a few more important details about the numerous kite contests that you can find here.

The Austin Kite Festival has been around since 1929 when it started at the Lamar Park. “The ‘Kite Tournament’ was created by The Exchange Club of Austin, with a mission to encourage creativity in children.”  It is the longest continuously running kite festival in the United States and is another one of the many events that make Austin such a family friendly town.

https://www.facebook.com/ZilkerKiteFestival/photos/a.165617023485383.31835.159522434094842/1257632670950474/?type=3&theaterPhoto: Facebook/ABC Kite Fest

This year is sure to be a great one with the new sponsorship of ABC Home and Commercial Services. This local company has pledged to sponsor the event for the next 50 years. Bobby Jenkins, owner of ABC, said, “It’s an absolute tradition and kickoff to springtime, kickoff to the event festival time of the year. But more than anything it’s about bringing families together.” Proceeds from this year’s Kite Festival will benefit Communities in Schools of Central Texas and The Moss Pieratt Foundation.

Perhaps you will win the contest for the smallest kite. Or even better, you take home first place for the largest kite. Either way, it is sure to be a soaring good time and another great day in Austin for families to have some special fun together.