Date:	Sat, 4 Jun 1994 09:57:51 -1000
From:	100255.116@CompuServe.COM (Gill Bloom)
Message-Id: <940604195751_100255.116_BHB24-2@CompuServe.COM>
Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Subject: European Kite Festivals / Conventions

As organisers of the Kite Society of Great Britain's annual convention - which
attracts about 300 kitefliers each year we can give some input to this subject.

The format for our event is a single day of talks / lectures / workshops - we
have had George Peters, Stretch Tucker, Martin Lester, Peter Lynn etc -
followed by a two day kite festival.  Such things as the auction take place
during the festival.  So you could say that the convention is three days with
two flying days and one talk day.  The emphasis of the convention is to talk and
learn about the various aspects of kites and kiteflying - it is not competitive
in it's own right - so there are no competitions.

The flying days do have some competitions - rokkaku challenge; altitude sprint;
Indian kite flighting - but nothing in the way of the competitions held at the
AKA (we were at Jacksonville and will be at Wildwood).  But these events are FUN
things and are not the whole reason for being there.  The festivals are for both
the kite fliers and the public are enouraged to join in as much as possible.

One other major difference is the fact that the KSGB convention is free - people
only have to pay for their meals - it is open to everybody - including the
public.  The costs of the convention is paid for by the monies raised from the
auction.

One other thought - it is much easier to get to the various events in the U.K.
so if competitions are held at different festivals then people can and will
travel - in the U.S.A. distances are much more and therefore would much restrict
the attendance.

Gill(ian) and Jon Bloom



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