In The News

With winds pushing everyone around last week, it seemed like Zilker Park’s annual Kite Festival came at the perfect time. The festival originated through The Exchange Club of Austin as way to encourage creativity in children. Over time, it’s developed into a partnership between the Exchange Club and City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. The festival serves to unify the community through activities and contests while also supporting the Exchange Club’s dedication to child abuse prevention. Austin has hosted the festivities and fun of this nonprofit annually since 1929 and celebrated its 85^th birthday this year. Sunday, March 3^rd marked the day in which people gather together to support this cause and kick off spring time as a community. In case you missed it, the Kite Festival included a day of kite-making, kite-flying, and community spirit in one of Austin’s most beautiful parks. There are a lot of activities, so citizens participated in the spring time fun in a variety of ways.

Kite Making

The festival began with an opportunity to make your own kite. This activity relates back to the heart of the Kite Festival: to encourage creativity in children. The workshop is designed to allow anyone of any age to create their own special kite-all at no cost! After the workshop, participants can register for a kite contest which begins at noon.

Contests

The excitement peaks during the contests each year. The available tournaments include 50 Yard Dash, Highest Angle Kite, Steadiest Kite, Strongest Pulling Kite, Smallest Kite, Most Unusual Kite, Oldest and Youngest Kite Fliers, and Largest Kite. The age requirements vary between each contest, but there are multiple available for each age group. Each contest also has a unique set of criteria to judge the participants which can be found at the website of the Zilker Kite Festival.

Watching

For those who wanted to participate outside of kite creation or kite competition, many supported friends and the community by attending and enjoying the festivities together. Dogs and other friendly pets are welcome each year as well. The Kite Festival always brings out many people and creates a sense of unity and bonding throughout the community. If you couldn’t make it out yesterday, keep your eye out for the Kite Festival of 2014!