 |
- Admission
- Who can participate at the festival?
Do I have to fly a kite to come to this event?
- This is a day for everyone to fly their kites.
You don't have to fly a kite to come to the event. A lot of folks
make this a day in the park to have time together and see this
incredible sight. However, after seeing all the kites you might
want to try one. World Wind Kites will be there in case the notion
strikes you. There will also be a kite making workshop (open 11-4)
where a kite is made in less than 10 minutes and guaranteed to fly.
- Is there a cost to get in?
- The kite festival is FREE, there is no admission. Everyone is welcome.
You might want to bring a few bucks for concessions or a T-Shirt. There will
be an array of delicious food offered. A percentage of every purchase at the
Kite Festival supports local non-profits working to prevent child abuse.
-
Facilitator & beneficiary
- Who puts this event on and who benefits?
-
The Zilker Park Kite Festival is sponsored by The Exchange Club of
Austin and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
The 'Kite Tournament' was created by The Exchange Club of Austin
in 1929 with a mission to encourage creativity in children.
Exchange Club President Ed St. John came up with the idea to
give kids a constructive activity the community could participate
in.
The Exchange Club uses revenue from Concessions, Kite and T-Shirt sales to help local
kids who are in abusive situations and to prevent child abuse. Scholarships are given
to high school seniors who have overcome challenges to enable them to attend college.
So help the kids by buying a drink, hot dog, kid's activity, t-shirt, or kite. We thank you for it!
-
Festival Location and Parking
- Where is the Kite Festival held?
- Is there parking at Zilker?
- Barton Springs Road will be closed from 9 am to 6 pm during the Kite Festival.
Free Parking and Shuttles are at State Garage E at 1604 Colorado St
(1 block off of Lavaca). Shuttles will start picking
up folks at 10am and will be taking folks to the park until 3:15 pm. Shuttles will continue to
bring folks back to the garage from the park until 5:30 pm. Everyone is welcome on the shuttles.
No large coolers please, they are too big to fit (the shuttles are school busses).
Well mannered dogs on leashes can go on the shuttles.
***Shuttle drivers have the authority to refuse to allow any person, animal or object on the bus.***
The reason we stop taking folks to the park after 3pm is by the time the bus makes it to the
park there would not be time to do much except get back on the bus. (The hours of the event are
10am to 5pm.) We will have Special Needs shuttle busses too.
There is limited parking in Zilker Park on the Polo fields. Get to it from the
Mopac service road on the west side of the park. It is free but there is not that much and
fills up quickly, so to park there, come early.
The Palmer Events Center (just down Barton Springs Road east of Lamar) says they will have
parking available for the Kite Festival and the fee for all day is $7.
There is Special Needs parking available in the park. Be sure you have the special needs hanger
card (or other special needs parking designation) and ask the police at the road closure to let
you in for Special Needs Parking. The Mopac side of the park would be the best
entrance to use. Special needs parking is on the south side of Barton Springs Road just across
from the Kite Festival. Drive in like you are going to the pool, the lots are just beyond the
play ground.
Bicycle parking is available. We will have bicycle racks next to the Special Needs parking
on the south side of Barton Springs Road across from the Great Lawn. We hope many of you can bike in
to enjoy the Kite Festival.
-
Schedule & changes
-
What time does it start?
- Booths open at 10am, Registration for the kite contest starts at 11am and kite contest events
start at 1:00pm. The Festival closes at 5:00pm.
- Are there other kids activities besides kite flying?
- Yes! Moon walks, rock wall climbing, face painting, go fish - a lot of fun activities are offered for kids of all ages.
-
What if it rains?
-
Bad weather does happen. We have a rain date of one week later, March 14, same place,
same time, same schedule. It takes a LOT of bad weather to get us to post-pone the event.
You can call the Kite Festival hotline at 512-448-KITE (5483) for an update. The decision
will be posted by 9am Kite Day morning.
-
Can we get a Kite there?
- Yes. World Wind Kites will be on hand with loads of kites. We also offer a Kite Festival workshop from where you can learn how
to build a kite. The workshop tent opens at 11am and closes at 4pm.
-
Rules
-
Kite Festival Safety Rules
-
Be kind and watch out for other kite fliers
No cutting strings
Don't bring anything to the Festival that puts others in danger
Don't cross the fence on the display field. The big kites are expensive
and dangerous when in the air, only go near them if you have permission.
-
Can I bring my dog?
-
Yes! The Kite Festival is famous for
being canine friendly. Please bring your pet on a leash to insure
the safety of everyone. Break out your dog's favorite t-shirt,
this is the place for well dressed dogs.
Please pick up after your pooch. Don't leave any dog poo about.
-
Can I Bring a Picnic?
-
Yes! No glass containers please. We
encourage you to create a picnic by purchasing the delicious
foods offered at the event. A percentage of each sale goes to
help children in Central Texas.
-
-
Austin Park and Recreation - Park Rules
-
Contest
-
Who can enter the Kite Contest?
-
Anybody with a homemade kite. The kite
contest is open to everyone (all ages!) and there is no cost to compete.
Competition Kites must be home made - no mass-produced manufactured
stuff. The Kite Festival wants to inspire your creativity. There
are separate adult and youth categories. For kite contest events click here
click here and for rules
click here.
-
Can I register in the contest ahead of time?
-
No, there's no advance registration.
Bring your kite on the day of the event - Registration tables
open at 11am.
-
Do I have to compete in the contest to fly a kite at the event?
-
Absolutely not! Kite Day is for
flying kites. Bring your kite, no matter what kind it is, and
fly it. Let's see how many we can paint the sky with.
FYI- During the kite contest, we only allow contestants on the
field roped off for the contest. You can fly anywhere else -
well maybe not near a kite eating tree. There are a few of those
in the Park.
-
Volunteers & Vendors
|
 |
