The Berkeley Kite Festival started more than 30 years ago under the stewardship of Tom McAlister, the founder, and owner of Highline Kites. The festival is the premier free family festivals on the West Coast. It brings together the entire community fantastically and dynamically. Since then, the festival has grown and now brings kite lovers from across the globe together for a weekend full of fun. All participants get to showcase and share their prowess in kite flying while having a good time with other like-minded people.
Event Details
The Berkeley Kite festival takes place annually in July. Held over the weekend, the event usually starts at 10 am and ends at 6 pm. Those wishing to attend are advised to make their way to the event premises, Cesar E. Chavez Park, Berkeley Marina, as early as they can. The event is usually free for all, but parking fees are charged depending on where one chooses to park. Given that many people are usually in attendance, parking space at the marina is limited. There is, however, more parking space at Golden Gate Fields. A free shuttle is available to transport people from the parking areas to the festival location itself. However, given that many people attend the festival, people are encouraged to take public transport to the event. One can pick the bus serving Rockridge and Downtown Berkeley BART at AC Transit 51B. The bus also serves West Berkeley. Valet bike parking is also provided at the event; therefore, one should feel free to go on their bike. You can also walk to the event if you do not live nearby.
Highlights
Some of the highlights of the Berkeley Kite Festival are kite-making lessons, kite lessons, team kite-flying, plenty of food and drink, live music, and children activities such as bouncing castles, face painting, pony rides, and arts and crafts. Consequently, the Berkeley Kite Festival is appropriate for the entire family and seeks to meet everyone’s needs. Parents are encouraged to attend the festival together with their children. To further ensure that the event is suitable for all, the event ensures that the festival is accessible to persons with disabilities. Disability accommodations are also available. To ensure availability, one should call in at least a week in advance.
For those who love team sports, the Berkeley Kite Festival is the proper event for you. Some of the teams that participate in the event include Berkeley Kite Wranglers, Bay Area Sundowners, and Team Air Zone. Invited teams also participate in the event, and this year, the festival received a delegation from the Sode-cho Kite-Flying Society of Hamamatsu based in Japan.
Products on Sale
Given that the two-day Berkeley Kite Festival attracts thousands of people, the event organizers provide a tent where people can purchase kites for the event’s activities. Some of the kites people can buy at the event include extreme show kites, single line kites, stunt kites, quad line kites, accessories such as tails, spinners and windsock, kite parts, and kite lines. Some of the popular brands on sale include revolution Kites, Premier Kites, Shanti Kite Products, Leong Ceewan, Prism Kites, Flying Wings, Great Winds, Into the Wind, HQ Kites, Na Hand Crafted by Patrick Tan. Additionally, given that the event has grown over the years, the organizers have now opened an online store where one can order for their merchandise.
Mythical Maids
2024 Durant Ave, Unit 301
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 868-2187