Mark your calendar, start making travel plans, and pick up your kite
supplies and kites at Tumbleweeds and Tarantulas. For the kite enthusiast who also happens to enjoy the classic American road trip, what could be better than an epic cross country adventure (on Route 66?) and a kite event.
In St. George, Utah the Dixie Power Kite Festival (April 13, 2019) partners with Washington County School District Foundation to bring a fun filled family event to Southern Utah. Even though the event is scheduled for April, enthusiasm for the event is kindled among the children in January with the distribution of reading charts that are sent to all elementary school students in the district. The students are encouraged to read each week and parents record progress in the chart. Students then bring the completed chart to the Kite Festival and receive a free kite or book as a reward for a job well done. The event centers on kites but it is a whole day of festivities that includes games, vendors, and live entertainment. As a bonus, the proceeds from the event are donated to the Washington County School District to support literacy programs. More than $350,000 has been raised through the Dixie Power Kite Festival.
The World Kite Museum in Long Beach, Washington hosts the Washington State International Kite Festival from August 19th thru the 25th. Held annually on the third weekend in August since 1996, the festival has grown to be the largest event of its kind in North America. From novices just learning to fly a kite, or that haven’t flown one since childhood, to experts who come from throughout the world this event is a celebration of the kite.
And if just can’t wait until spring or summer for an event, may I suggest the Color The Wind Kite Festival scheduled for February 16, 2019. Dress warm for this event takes place in Clear Lake, Iowa. This delightful event is now the largest winter kite festival in the Midwest. With a backdrop of snow and crisp blue skies, the colorful kites stand out in stark contrast. Organizers emphasize free admission and availability of hot food.
In March the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc will be hosting the Blossom Kite Festival in Washington, D.C. With the Washington Monument as a back drop, the eighth annual festival is scheduled for March 30, 2019. The festival showcases the artistry of kite makers as well as the skill of fliers from throughout the world. As with most kite events and festivals this is a family centered event. To ensure the children enjoy the festival there will be a kite activity station where they can make kite and then fly it on the public field. Vendors will also be selling a variety of kites.
Road trips and kites, what could be better? Need additional ideas or a bit of inspiration for taking up kite flying, or for planning a road trip? Take a look at the expansive schedule of Midwestern events posted on this site.
Written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America
