Smithsonian Kite Festival
Encyclopedia
The Blossom Kite Festival, formerly the Smithsonian Kite Festival, is an annual kite
event usually held on the National Mall
in Washington, D.C.
near the beginning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
in late March. The 2011 kite festival took place on the Washington Monument
grounds on Sunday, April 10, 2011.
, also founder of the National Air and Space Museum
(NASM). Until 2010, the Smithsonian Associates, the cultural, educational, and membership division of the Smithsonian Institution
organized and sponsored the festival. In 2011, The National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., began producing the event, changed the event's date to a Sunday (originally the second day of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 19, 2011; rescheduled because of forecasted inclement weather to the last day of the festival, April 10, 2011), and renamed the event to the "Blossom Kite Festival".
The 43rd Smithsonian Kite Festival was held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, on the Washington Monument grounds. The theme of the festival was "Going Green". Participants were encouraged to create environmentally and thematically “green” kites from renewable resources such as bamboo and recyclable goods such as paper and cloth. Organizers expected to distribute 1,000 free kites to children on a first come, first served basis.
The 42nd Smithsonian Kite Festival was held on Saturday, March 29, 2008, on the National Mall. The festival, which was tied to the 2008 Summer Olympics
to be held in Beijing
, China
, from August 8 to August 24, 2008, highlighted the art and history of Chinese kites. The Smithsonian stated that the Chinese introduced the first kites more than 2,000 years ago. According to the Smithsonian, the Chinese first used kites in military affairs for estimating distances and carrying propaganda leaflets, but the kites' influence gradually spread to Western countries to become what the Smithsonian called a “familiar artistic and cultural icon.” The Smithsonian stated that kites continue to play an important role in China.
Kite
A kite is a tethered aircraft. The necessary lift that makes the kite wing fly is generated when air flows over and under the kite's wing, producing low pressure above the wing and high pressure below it. This deflection also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind...
event usually held on the National Mall
National Mall
The National Mall is an open-area national park in downtown Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The National Mall is a unit of the National Park Service , and is administered by the National Mall and Memorial Parks unit...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
near the beginning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the March 27, 1912, gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington...
in late March. The 2011 kite festival took place on the Washington Monument
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is an obelisk near the west end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate the first U.S. president, General George Washington...
grounds on Sunday, April 10, 2011.
Organization
The festival was founded in 1967 by aviation pioneer Paul E. GarberPaul E. Garber
Paul Edward Garber was the first head of the National Air Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. With his work and effort, the most complete collection of historical aircraft in the world was gathered and preserved...
, also founder of the National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...
(NASM). Until 2010, the Smithsonian Associates, the cultural, educational, and membership division of the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
organized and sponsored the festival. In 2011, The National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., began producing the event, changed the event's date to a Sunday (originally the second day of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 19, 2011; rescheduled because of forecasted inclement weather to the last day of the festival, April 10, 2011), and renamed the event to the "Blossom Kite Festival".
Past Festivals
The 44th Smithsonian Kite Festival, which the Smithsonian Associates and the NASM presented, took place on Saturday, March 27, 2010. The theme was "CRAFTed for Flight". Events included the competitive Rokkaku Battle, Hot Tricks Showdown and Ground Display. The festival also featured a kitemaking competition that was open to any hand-made kite. Adult competitors and a team of judges ranging from kitemaking experts to local celebrities to museum staff chose the winners of awards in each category. Kitemakers were grouped according to experience and age: kitemaker, master kitemaker, age 11 and under, age 12–15. The event also encouraged non-competitors to make and fly kites on the Washington Monument grounds.The 43rd Smithsonian Kite Festival was held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, on the Washington Monument grounds. The theme of the festival was "Going Green". Participants were encouraged to create environmentally and thematically “green” kites from renewable resources such as bamboo and recyclable goods such as paper and cloth. Organizers expected to distribute 1,000 free kites to children on a first come, first served basis.
The 42nd Smithsonian Kite Festival was held on Saturday, March 29, 2008, on the National Mall. The festival, which was tied to the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
to be held in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, from August 8 to August 24, 2008, highlighted the art and history of Chinese kites. The Smithsonian stated that the Chinese introduced the first kites more than 2,000 years ago. According to the Smithsonian, the Chinese first used kites in military affairs for estimating distances and carrying propaganda leaflets, but the kites' influence gradually spread to Western countries to become what the Smithsonian called a “familiar artistic and cultural icon.” The Smithsonian stated that kites continue to play an important role in China.