Basingstoke Kite Festival 2000

Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th June 2000

Saturday dawned warm and sunny, with a light wind.. it was time to visit the 8th annual Basingstoke Kite Festival. The good weather attracted many members of the kite flying community and lots of public to the event, held at Down Grange in Basingstoke. A large flying area, plenty of kite and food traders and decent portaloos made this an enjoyable day out. There was a kite making workshop for kids, a display of some of the local schools' art ("Design your own kite"), a teddy bear parachuting team, aeolian wind gardens, a variety of kites of all types, shapes and sizes including some fabulous applique kites, team flying displays and competitions and a Mega Team Fly, with commentary provided throughout the day by George and Simon Dann. The 0 - 5mph wind was playing tricks with us all day, changing direction, often disappearing completely so even the ultra light kites could not stay airborne. However the sunshine more than made up for it!

Anyway here are the pictures from Saturday- click on any image to see a larger version.

 

Brian enjoys himself in an aeolian wind garden...		..and meets its creator, Didier.
Robert Valkenburgh, creator of The Wind Gallery aeolian garden.	This Cody kite is 15 years old and has aluminium tubing for spars!	There were plenty of large and pretty kites at the festival.
At 1pm, all was fairly quiet..	..so they had an altitude race!	Pretty banners
The invited flyers from Germany and Holland brought a variety of big colourful kites, including this washing machine!
Christian Baden Powell from Germany made these wonderful applique creations
Didier flies a colourful 4 line kite that he designed.		Christian and one of his huge kites
Pegasus flies again!	Teddy Bear Parachuting Centre	Jerry and his heavyweight Rokkaku
By 2pm, there were lots of people flying kites, browsing round the stalls and enjoying the sunshine!		Simon Dann, from the commentary position high above the main flying arena. (get your binoculars out!)
Rokkaku fight (the one on the left won)	Couple of single line kites	Flexifoil Blade and Skytiger

We weren't around for Sunday's kite festival as we were at home watching the baby blue tits fly the nest!