Smithsonian Kite Festival

Smithsonian Kite Festival

Late March

The Kite Festival held on the Mall in Washington, D.C., every spring is co-sponsored by the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program and the National Air and Space Museum. First held in 1966, the festival was started by Dr. Paul Garber, a kite fancier and historian emeritus of the National Air and Space Museum. Until his death in 1992, Dr. Garber served as master of ceremonies for the festivities.
A major focus of the annual festival is the competition for hand-made kites, which must be capable of flying at a minimum altitude of 100 feet for at least one minute. Kites are judged on the basis of appearance (design, craftsmanship, beauty) as well as on performance (takeoff, climb, angle, recovery). Trophies are awarded in many categories—for example, airplane, bird figure, box-kite, spacecraft, and delta—and age groups. Participants come from all regions of the United States as well as several foreign countries. Immediately following the kite display program, a kite-building workshop is held for members of the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program.

CONTACTS:
The Smithsonian Associates
1100 Jefferson Dr. S.W.
P.O. Box 23293
Washington, D.C. 20560
202-357-3030; fax: 202-786-2034
www.smithsonianassociates.org