Welcome! Visit the National Air and Space Museum's Family Day on March 21, a week before the Smithsonian Kite Festival, to inspire you to make your own kite for the Festival's competition. Attention aspiring poets of all ages! We are looking for talented young poets to compose poetry about kite-flying! 5th Annual Kite Festival Poetry Contest. For thousands of years, wind power has been used for a variety of important purposes-from natural ventilation to grain grinding and (believe it or not) to facilitating the operation of the pipe-organ. While these are just a few examples of how wind has enriched our lives in the past, the world currently has its eyes on harnessing wind power as an alternative form of energy. This year, The Smithsonian 43rd annual Kite Festival will explore how being ‘green’ and utilizing natural resources can be a fun, creative, and fulfilling experience. What better way to celebrate wind power and our environment than by coloring the sky with kites fashioned from renewable resources? This year, honor planet Earth by creating both environmentally and thematically ‘green’ kites that positively reflect the beautiful resources we have available. The possibilities are endless, but you might consider materials and recyclable goods like paper, plastic, and cloth …have you considered utilizing your last Whole Foods bag? In lieu of constructing with ‘green’ materials, you could create a traditional kite with a ‘green’ theme…The sky is literally the limit-so be creative and push the limits, have fun, and go ‘green’! Whatever you end up creating, please make sure that all kites fly according to AKA specifications. The festival will again feature hands-on activities led by representatives from kite organizations. Spectators can learn about kite flying, participate in kite-making activities, learn about the history of kites, watch ‘green’ kite demonstrations and much more. As usual, the festival features three competitions. For those who build their own kites, you are invited to enter the handmade kite competition. Please click on “Festival Awards” to learn about our format for the handmade kite competition. Teams may also enter into two additional heart-stopping events- the sixth annual Smithsonian Hot Tricks competition, and the always popular Rokkaku kite battle will be both held at the end of the day. Watch kite flyers strut their stuff on the field dazzling the crowd with trick kite moves and thrilling competition. Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. – See you on the monument grounds! SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Take Metro to the Smithsonian station or take Metrobus routes 30, 32, 34, 35, and 36. |
