When it comes to mere things, this reporter’s most treasured possession is a kite I picked up on Jackson Square in New Orleans three-and-a-half decades ago. She still flies, original twine and all. Her name is Valkyrie. This light sailcloth and wood Nantucket beauty has flown over the beaches of North America, from North Carolina to California. She’s never been temperamental, never balky. Pull out Valk, and everyone gets jazzed up. You know you’re headed for the beach.
March is her favorite month. That’s when the winds—inland included—pick up, and give lift to her wings. Seems somebody out there shares my passion for kites. Festivals are aflower just about now. Here are a few:
March 4 is the date, and Austin is the place for what’s billed as the country’s oldest kite conclave. The Zilker Park Kite Festival is the kind of get together that makes you feel good while you do good. This is its 84th year. Should your aeronautic assembly take a dive there are folks there to help, courtesy of the Austin Diagnostic Clinic.
Zilker Kite Festival 2011 from scott hoenes on Vimeo.
Winds should still abound come the weekend of April 6 – 7. Even if the seasonals abate a bit, there’s almost always a nice offshore breeze blowing on the Boardwalk at Okaloosa Island and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. The 8th Annual Beach Kite Festival is a family-friendly outing, one populated by amateurs and pros alike. There’s kite-painting face-painting, and plenty of wonder to be had. Just look up, and make sure you don’t foul anyone else’s lines.
Head to America’s heartland April 21 for Wheaton, Illinois’ 4th Annual Go Fly a Kite event. The Chicago Fire Kite Team will show folks how it’s done. No need to take notes, just have fun.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: ronnie44052)
