Kitebuilder.com

[Grant L]

The Pigs Aloft kite club from the CIncinnati area is putting on the Airwaves Kitefest April 10th, just north of Cincinnati Ohio, at the Voice Of America park. This is the first year of the festival and they have been working hard at getting sponsors to put on a great event. They have gotten backing from the local town, local radio station and Time Warner.


It should be a great time. There will be several large kites, ( including my Gecko in it's first public outing,) and hopefully two Double Stars , ( mine and Fools recently completed one.) I haven't been there myself but from what I hear, it is a nice large open field, great for kite flying. I believe that it used to be the field where all of the antenas for the " Voice of America" radio show was broadcast. Come on out and fly some kites with us. I think that there should be at least 5 or more members from the forum there

[Fool]

I'll most certainly be there. It's only a half an hours drive from my home. There's no shortage of land to fly on at this newly established park. I have yet to see it all myself. I've flown down there about 5 or 6 times so far. I'll sort of be getting "paid" to be there as well. Although I may have to be attending a "shop" or flying demo's a lot through out the day it should still be great fun.
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Chris Taylor
Dayton, OH

[Grant L]

Well, I got to meet Chris and we had our DS kites in the air together Unfortunatley, we were sprinting with the lines in our hands at the time The wind didn't cooperate at all. There was little teaser breezes throughout the day that took great pleasure in shifting at least 90 degrees at a time every five minutes.
I got there early to help the Pigs-Aloft try to get things set up. Then I went and set up my new shade canopy that I had purchased the day before, ( a very wise move!) I got the DS and some other kites out and set up and then waited for wind. Chris came down a bit later to introduce hinself and set up his DS, ( which looks even better in person. Like the black edge binding ,) next to mine. He was busy doing Beetle demonstration next to the mobile kite store all day.He did find time to wander down a couple of times during the day though to see the peolpe walking by OOOHH and AHHH at the DSs.
Paul Fieber was there and was working hard trying to get some kites to fly. The Pigs did an excellent job. For such a small group, they really put on a first rate event. They had lots of volunteers, provided by the city, ( I think,) that was busy all day long with sled-kite workshop,( which had a steady line,) and bol runs,( again, there was non-stop kids all day long.) They aslo had bubbles going, parachute drops, ( ingeniously put together with a static line an a light pole since there was not enough wind) Chicago Fire and the other invited flyers work hard all day long in little/no/constantley shifting winds to put on a non-stop show for public all day long. I talked to one of the club members and they said that the park, (which co-sponsored the event,) wanted to have al least 5,000 attnedees to coinsider the event a succes. At 45 Minutes before the end of the festival, they had already passed 7,000
The wind was bad but the weather was beautiful and the public all seemd to really enjoy the day Overall a great event and I look forward to next year.

[Fool]

The official police count for attendance was in the 10,000 range. Really a huge success if you figure that more than 85% of the people attending were NOT kiteflyers but people spectating the events throughout the day. The mobile kite store I was working at did wonderful and has to restock most of it's inventory before next weekend where we'll be in Georgetown, Kentucky. It was a pleasure meeting Grant L. And seeing the two double stars flying together. I would have liked to try and fly something other than beetles in the 0-4mph shifting winds. And my girlfriend got stuck around the trailer all day since we were swamped with people.
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Chris Taylor
Dayton, OH

[Grant L]

I didn't get any photos but my father-in-law sent me one I heard that the final total was 717 sled kites made and the police estimated the crowd at 10,000 throughout the day Excellent job by the Pigs-Aloft. Especially for a first time event

[Progcraft]

Nice picture. Would be better with less grass in it though
Really though, nice kites
Now that's pride in your work.

P.
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There is no box.

[stevef]

good picture guys.... and thanks for the fine report on the festival. Kinda neat, even with no wind, a kite festival can be a success.

Always stay positive....
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Steve Ferrel
Measure once, buy twice!

[Grant L]

It was nice that each time Chris and I got the DSs in the air,( with a little leg assist,) we got a round of applause