19th Annual Seal Beach Kite Festival returns this Sunday

Turn your eyes to the sky this Sunday, Oct. 11, for a spectacular flying show above the sands of Seal Beach.  Attracting more than 12,000 visitors, the annual kite festival in Seal Beach is the largest single day kiting event in the United States and will feature thousands of different kites including giant “show kites” some as large as a city bus. The festival will take place on the beach at the Seal Beach Pier noon to 4 p.m.  Admission to the festival is free.

Japanese Kite Master Mikio Toki, one of Japan’s most famous kite masters will visit from his hometown, Chiba, Japan, to fly and display and fly his traditional edo–dako (traditional Tokyo-style kites constructed with washi rice paper and bamboo).  Toki also will help with the festival’s free children’s kite workshops in which every child can build and fly a small kite.

Also joining the festival is Japan’s 1998 world-champion of sport kiting, Chieko Tagami.  Tagami will conduct introductory lessons on precision sport kiting flying, also free of charge.

Presented by Up Up & Away Kites, the Seal Beach Kite Festival has been called the most “family friendly” festival with children’s activities including a candy drop, free kite making, and a performance by Traditional Japanese Taiko Drummers.

Held annually at the pier since 1996, the Kite Festival is also sponsored by the Japan America Society and Delta Air Lines is the official festival airline.

Additional supporters and sponsors include:  O’Malley’s on Main, Z Pizza Main Street, All State Insurance-Brian T McMahon, Scott Levitt—Levitt Law APC, Harvey Girls Gallery, The SB Shoppe and Endless Summer.