Washington State International Kite Festival

About the Event

Come and be a part of the largest and longest running Kite Festival in North America!

7 Fun Filled Days of Events, Competitions, and Fun for the Entire Family. There is something for everyone!

Schedule of Events:

Terrific Tuesday Top Team:

Pam Knight — Event Coordinator
Registration 9:00 am Tent #2
Event all day

Teams are limited to 10 members. Points are earned for each of the activities on Tuesday’s schedule. Each entrant earns points for participating, in addition to the points earned for winning or placing in individual and team events. Clubs, family groups— any group of people who choose to “bond” for the day—may register as a team and accumulate points through- out the day. The winner will earn the right to fly the “Top Team” banner until next year. The winner will be announced at noon on Wednesday.

Club Camp and ROK battle participants can donate their points to a team of their choosing. Look for Pam at the end of the day and give her your points, and who you would like to donate them too.

Club Camp:

Pam Knight — Event Coordinator
Registration 9:00–10:00 am, Tent #2
Judging from 1:00–2:00 pm

A “club camp” is a ground display, set up by a par- ticular team. This can include ground art, banners, flags, tents, kites “at rest,” people, pets— use your imagination. Judging is based on color coordination, artistic merit, innovation, and overall presentation. Judges probably can be influenced by the presence of things like chocolate and other edibles.

Pun Fun:

Pam Knight – Event Coordinator
10:00 am–12:30 pm, Field A

During this event different types of kites will be flown together in one area. The idea is to present pleasant visual displays in the sky by putting up many kites of a designated type at the same time. Some of the categories lend themselves to allowing a visual pun to occur in the air. A point will be given for each kite flown that fits the category. Points will be credited toward winning the Top Team Banner. There will be 20 minutes dedicated to flying each type of kite. Field crews will begin counting five minutes after the scheduled start time. Flyers are re- quested to fly their kites until the announcement is made that all kites have been counted. Ten minutes between categories will be allowed to provide time for assembling and disassembling kites. A point will be given for each kite flown that fits the category with a maximum of 50 points in any category. There will be a “Best of Show” award.

Pun Fun Categories:

DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND (10:00-10:20 am): Fly your diamond kites, big and small. Earn an extra point if the flyer at the end of the line is a “girl.” Five bonus points to be awarded to the largest diamond kite on the field.

DELTA DAWN & HAPI TOGETHER (10:25-10:45 am):
All deltas and delta derivatives to the field, please. Is there a flower on your delta? That’ll earn you an extra point. Ev- eryone wearing a hapi coat will earn an additional point.

PILLOW TALK (10:50-11:10 am):
All soft “pillowy” kites are invited to the flying field—no sticks allowed! An extra point will be awarded to flyers brave enough to wear their slippers or a nightcap on the field.

CRAZY (11:15-11:35 am):
We’re crazy to think these would ever fly! Bring out your circoflexes, freeform kites, asymmetrical kites, character kites, etc. An extra point will be awarded to anyone wearing a crazy hat. The craziest hat will be awarded 5 bonus points.

TAIL ENHANCES THE KITE (11:40 am-12:00 pm):
Bring on the TAILS. The longest, brightest, most creative tails will get the most points. Tails that add to the style and design of the kite will earn extra points.

PIECES / PATCHWORK (12:05-12:25 pm):
Some kites are just plain. These won’t be!! They will have lots of pieces, colors, designs, and applique. Maximum points will be awarded to the most creative and challenging use of fabric.

Fighter Kite Demo:

Robert Loera – Event Coordinator
12:30-1:30 pm, Field A

Robert, with the assistance from members of the Northwest American Fighter group, will present a hands-on workshop that covers how to launch and control a fighter kite. For the event, kites and lines will be provided by Bruce Clark, the innovator of the Wind Warrior fighter- a new single line acrobatic stunt and sport kite being market- ed and made in the USA.

The current, modern high-tech versions are made by a handful of master kite builders including Scott Bogue, Bob Hegman and Steve Bateman. Their kites are all built using carbon fiber spars and battens using a sophisticated tensioning system for the spines and venting for higher winds. They’re like race cars; fast and capable of flying in strongest winds up to 30 mph (very sport kite like)! Other prominent Northwest master builders including Steve Childers, Stone McLaren and Brian Johnson build their kites in a unique way; fast and maneuverable, but choosing to use materials that blend more organically together. All modern made fighters are super fast and sensitive to fly, so it takes a master to fly them. Northwest-made fighter kites are the fastest, lightest and strongest fighters made anywhere in the world!

Since the conditions of the Northwest include fog, rain and wet sand, the American fighter kite has been transformed into more of a Sport kite. This transfor- mative design includes materials purposely made to repel the moisture of the fog and rain, including carbon fiber frames, waterproof coverings, water resistant glues and spectra flying line. These modern adaptations are far from the traditional paper kites with bamboo spars and cotton lines of first tradition- al India fighter kites.

Individual Rokkaku Battle:

Ronda Brewer- Event Coordinator
Pilots Meeting 1:00 pm, Tent #2
Battle 1:30–3:00 pm, Field A

The individual Rokkaku Battle will feature traditional shaped Japanese Rokkaku battle kites. All partici- pating kites may be no larger than four (4) feet. No kevlar or cutting line may be used. The judges may disqualify a kite if the construction materials appear to be unsafe. Other safety regulations may be an- nounced if deemed necessary. Gloves must be worn, and hard hats are optional. All kites and line are to be provided by the contestant. The battle will be run in as many heats as time allows. Line length will be limited to 150 feet. During competition, contestants may move about the entire field.

A grounded kite must be removed from the field im- mediately. Kites may not be grounded by intentional physical contact between contestants, between con- testants and an opposing kite, or line. Only contes- tants and staff may be on the field during the battle.

Team Rokkaku Battle:

Ronda Brewer- Event Coordinator
Pilots Meeting 3:00 pm, Tent #2
Battle 3:15–4:30 pm, Field A

This team competition gives teams a chance to demonstrate their skills as a group. The objective is to knock or cut other kites out of the sky using your team’s kites. Gloves are required. AKA competition rules will be used. In order to ensure the safety and maximize the enjoyment of the teams, the following rules will be strictly enforced.

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