Date: Sunday, March 14th 2010
Time of Event: 10am -5pm
Location: Zilker Park - 2201 Barton Springs Road
The Zilker Kite Festival is presented by H-E-B, The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and The Exchange Club of Austin.
The Zilker Park Kite Festival is one of Austin's best-known annual events. The 'Kite Tournament' was created by The Exchange Club of Austin in 1929 with a mission to encourage creativity in children. Exchange Club President Ed St. John came up with the idea to give kids a constructive activity the community could participate in. The Zilker Park Kite Festival is an event anyone is welcome to attend (pets too!). There is no admission to attend or to participate in the contest. Most folks come out to see the spectacular sight of hundreds of kites in the sky and to enjoy a spring day in the park.
The Kite Festival has a long history of being the Exchange Club's gift to Austin. It also has a role of creating change in our community. Through concessions, t-shirt and vendor sales, the Exchange Club is able to raise much needed funds for local organizations working to aid local children in crisis. Some of the organizations we are able to fund are The Pebble Project, The Rainbow Room, and Safe Place. (This is by no means all the organizations that receive funding.) Funding is also used to purchase 'Baby Think It Over' units to be placed in middle schools and for college scholarships to high school students who have overcome severe obstacles in their lives.
Zilker Kite Festival Kite Flying Contest Events
50-yard Dash competition is open to children between 7 and 12 years of age. Kites will fly on 50 feet of string. Kite string will be measured before the contest. Contestants will race to the finish line. Winner must have their kite stay in the air for the whole race.
Highest Angle kite competitors will release 200 feet of string and stand on a designated line. The kite flying at the highest angle overhead from the point of mooring wins the competition. For example, a kite flying directly over your hear would win. Highest angle kite has youth (up to 15 years old) and adult (16 years and over) separate competitions.
Steadiest Kite (with or without a tail) is the kite least active in the air. Highest angle kite has youth (up to 15 years old) and adult (16 years and over) separate competitions.
Strongest Pulling Kite will be measured in pounds.
Smallest Kite entries must fly on 25 feet of line and be higher than the point of mooring.
Most Unusual Kite entries are judged on theme, construction and design. Judges will look for odd, striking or novel features and shapes. Most Unusual Kite event has youth (up to 15 years old) and adult (16 years and over) separate competitions.
Largest Kite is determined by the square footage of the sail. Kite trains are not allowed to compete for largest kite. Kites must be capable of flying for one minute to qualify. Contestants are limited to three attempts in this event.
An award will be presented to oldest and youngest event contestants. All contestants must fly a kite unassisted to be eligible for this award.
Zilker Kite Festival Competition Rules
Kites entered in Competition must be homemade, but not necessarily by the person flying them. Kites assembled from commercial kits will not be considered homemade. Manufactured kites are not eligible for competition - but do bring them to fly in the park!
Contestants may enter only one kite per event. However, they may enter every event using a different kite for each event. (Exception: the 50-yard dash)
Kites must fly to qualify for judging.
Awards will be given to first, second and third place winners in each event. In the case of separate Youth and Adult divisions, each division will receive first, second and third place awards.
Judges decisions are final!
Contestants must register before the contest (registration starts at 12 noon) and must display their number at all times.
Adults may assist children with their kites.
For more details visit www.zilkerkitefestival.com.
Would you like to be a vendor at the event? Contact Belinda Bininger, Majic 95.5 General Sales Manager at 512-239-6233
