April is National Kite Month!
by Theresa Carpine3/31/2009 4:08:35 PM
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Kite flying can be enjoyed at any age. If you head to Zuanich Point Park to take the kids a sunset stroll on a windy day, it’s not uncommon to see kite flyers taking advantage of the bayside breezes. Since April is National Kite Month, take some time to learn a little bit more about the pastime of kite flying.
People have been flying kites for thousands of years. The first recorded example of kite flying took place in 200 B.C. in China when General Han Hsin used a kite in preparation for a military attack. Along with military purposes, kites have been used for scientific experiments, art and entertainment, and recreation.
One of the most famous examples of kite flying and science is Benjamin Franklin’s experiment using a kite and a key to prove that lightning is electricity, although some historians question whether Franklin himself ever actually performed the experiment that he suggested.
A famous reference in popular culture to kite flying is found in the song “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” featured in the 1964 Disney film “Mary Poppins” that is based on P.L. Travers’ popular book series. In the film, kite flying acts as a unifying activity for a previously absent father and his family.
For diehard kite aficionados, you might want to visit the World Kite Museum & Hall of Fame, located in Long Beach, Washington. Check things out during the third week in August, when the museum hosts the Washington State International Kite Festival with competitions, demonstrations, indoor kite flying, and kites of all sizes, shapes, and colors.
If you really want to celebrate National Kite Month, you can’t do it right without a kite! Here are links to a few sites with plans for making your own kite:
And, of course, you can always buy a kite. Check out the selections at Fairhaven Toy Garden or Yeager’s Sporting Goods to find a kite for you and your family.