Would greatly appreciate knowing what to bring to a kite festival from those with experience. I'm hoping to attend the South Padre Island Kite Festival, January 31+.

This will be my first kite festival:

http://tkogunn1.tripod.com/kitecalender.htm

Your tips will be appreciated.

Thanks very much.

Are the festivals more for non Power kites like stunts and large single line kites? Seems to crowded to buggy plus to many kites in the sky to avoid them?

looks like it might be similar to the Sunfest Kitefest i went to in Sept. dont know what the weather will be like dress accordingly obviously. i actually did more walking and watching than flying, although i put up a few stunt kites and my small beamer for a while. bring a camera. what i quickly learned is that the flavor of these fests is very different from what you will experience at a buggy bash...

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=10685

The last festival I went to, I brought all my kids kites and flew with them, did a lot of watching of other peoples kites. It was a spring time festival and was very crowded, I did not bother to bring out my kites until most had left and then brought out the foils, the people left enjoyed. Met Jim Cosca from Skydog kites and hung out with him most of the time.

I would say some single lines, especially if they are unusual or original. Take some stunt kites if they have room you can more than likely fly them as well. Have a blast no matter if you even get to fly! Any day kiting is a better day then work! If you plan on competing then check with the coordinator to check your catagories.

Rich

I was just there on South Padre a month ago. The fest will take place on the flats by the convention center. The flats can be flooded if the tide is real high or the wind is blowing the water into the bay. It is not a real large area. I was at the same fest 2 years ago and was able to buggy some. The marked off kite fields and car parking take up a lot of space. If you have single or dual lines bring them and join with other kite flyers from all over.

You can buggy the gulf side of the beach. I go north down the main highway until it dead ends and buggy there.

Susan (npw goddess)

Quote:

Originally posted by cheezycheese looks like it might be similar to the Sunfest Kitefest i went to in Sept. dont know what the weather will be like dress accordingly obviously. i actually did more walking and watching than flying, although i put up a few stunt kites and my small beamer for a while. bring a camera. what i quickly learned is that the flavor of these fests is very different from what you will experience at a buggy bash... http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=10685

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Thanks for the link. Very nice pics. I hope the access to South Padre isn't blocked with crowded traffic. I was there about a month ago, and it didn't seem like too large of an area. Parking for a large crowd, I would think, will be difficult.

Quote:

Originally posted by kitemaker4 I was just there on South Padre a month ago. The fest will take place on the flats by the convention center. The flats can be flooded if the tide is real high or the wind is blowing the water into the bay. It is not a real large area. I was at the same fest 2 years ago and was able to buggy some. The marked off kite fields and car parking take up a lot of space. If you have single or dual lines bring them and join with other kite flyers from all over. You can buggy the gulf side of the beach. I go north down the main highway until it dead ends and buggy there. Susan (npw goddess)

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Thanks for replying. I was also there about a month ago, but watched a few kites from the roadway and ate at BlackBeard's. Appreciate the feedback. The access seems quite limited. Is there any viewing from other areas? I hope to do more looking than flying, and probably more picture-taking this first time out.

Stan

Quote:

Originally posted by shehatesmyhobbies The last festival I went to, I brought all my kids kites and flew with them, did a lot of watching of other peoples kites. It was a spring time festival and was very crowded, I did not bother to bring out my kites until most had left and then brought out the foils, the people left enjoyed. Met Jim Cosca from Skydog kites and hung out with him most of the time. I would say some single lines, especially if they are unusual or original. Take some stunt kites if they have room you can more than likely fly them as well. Have a blast no matter if you even get to fly! Any day kiting is a better day then work! If you plan on competing then check with the coordinator to check your catagories. Rich

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Thanks for your input, Rich. Flying is definitely better than work, but sometimes, it is work! ;-)