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Washington State International Kite Festival

Weeklong event draws famous kite fliers from all over the world

The winning design for the 2017 Washington State International Kite Festival. Photo credit: World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame

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The 2017 Washington State International Kite Festival kicks off Aug. 21 in Long Beach and runs through Aug. 27. It is a weeklong celebration of everything pertaining to kites. Famous kite fliers and thousands of spectators from all over the world converge on the area to participate in this annual festival of kites. Beginning Monday of that week, the skies will be filled with color, choreographed movement and the excitement of kite battles.

"We just found out the Buffalo Kite Project will be participating this year," said Carol Zahorsky, from the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau. "They plan on arriving sometime on Wednesday and (will) be here through Saturday and are planning a mass ascension of all 15 kites. The collection contains original art from 12 different Native Nation artists ... Sioux, Blackfeet, Crow, Oglala Lakota, Cato, Salish Kootenai, Northern Cheyenne and more. They make the original art to fly and take it to buffalo jumps and reservations across America to promote both Native American art and kite flying."

The schedule for the week is jam packed with activities, competitions and is 24 pages long. There is a camera workshop to teach you how to take good photos of kites. After the workshop, take a photo walk and use what you just learned.  

Rokkaku Battles will take place with participants using Japanese Rokkaku battle kites. There is both individual and team competition.  You can also enjoy themed events like Paint Me Patriotic, where you fly red, white and blue kites all day. The lighted Kite Night Fly is sure to be a beautiful sight in the night sky. The schedule has plenty of games and craft activities to keep children involved. Make sure to take a look at the website to plan your visit.  Insider tip: Lodging fills up for the weekend events, so make reservations early or plan to attend during the week.

Washington State International Kite Festival, kitefestival.com

While there, the World Kite Museum is definitely worth a stop. Tons of informative facts about kites are available, and there is a gallery of previous kite festival posters. Military families will be interested in the kites of World War II.  Who knew kites had a military application? Before there were drones for aerial photography, there were kites. The great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was photographed from a kite. View the historic photos. Admission includes making your own kite.     

World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame, open daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 303 Sid Snyder Dr., Long Beach, 360.642.4020, worldkitemuseum.com

When you get to the peninsula, stop by the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau. It has a wealth of information about the area and particularly about the kite festival. Volunteers can give you suggestions about parking, where to eat and what not to miss.

Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 3914 Pacific Way, Seaview, 800.451.2542, funbeach.com

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