The Berkeley Kite Festival Featuring The Kites of Hamamatsu, JapanNEW

Kites aren't just for kids any more. Experience the excitement and artistry of modern kite flying. You'll find something for everyone at the Berkeley Kite Festival. From the Giant Creature Kites as big as houses, to the free Kite Making and Candy Drop for kids, you don't want to miss this year's Annual Berkeley Kite Festival.

Featuring
The Kites of Hamamatsu, Japan!

Highlighting this year's festival is a delegation from the Sode-cho Kite-Flying Society of Hamamatsu, Japan. Their traditional 'Machijirushi' kites are indigenous to Hamamatsu and are made from fine paper and bamboo. You'll meet Japan's master kite builders and be astounded by their centuries-old traditional kite designs.

The kites of Hamamatsu form the center of the city's annual Matsuri (Festival), in which 170 teams compete in fiercely-contested battles. While the origins of Hamamatsu's kite traditions date back 448 years, full-scale battles began in 1887.

Though civic pride is always at stake in the kite battles, today's Hamamatsu Matsuri is a celebration of the renewal of life and the confirmation of community spirit. It is now customary for younger people to join together to fly a special celebratory kite on which the name of a newborn child and its family name are written. Today the Matsuri attracts over 1.5 million people each year.

Who
Highline Kites of Berkeley

What
22nd Annual Berkeley Kite Festival & West Coast Kite Championships

Date & Time
July 31st & Aug. 1st 2010, 11:00AM - 5:00PM

Location
Cesar E. Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina

Contact
510-235-KITE (5483)
E-Mail: [email protected]

Cost
Free

Parking
In the Marina all day for the low flat rate of only $10 per day.
Includes shuttle service from the parking area to the Festival!