A Seaside Festival of High-Flying Kites

When the kites take off high in the air Sunday over Santa Monica Beach, it will be part of the second annual One Sky, One World Kite Festival. In 90 other windy spots around the world, kites will be flown in the spirit of sharing the skies peaceably. There will be kites aloft in Germany, Japan, the Soviet Union, Italy, Denmark, New Zealand and most of the 50 states.

Los Angeles’ peaceable kite-fly takes place just north of the Santa Monica Pier and hundreds of kite flyers are expected. Although the official starting time is noon, many hard-core fliers will arrive before 9 a.m. to wait for signs of a good wind and then stay on until dark. As with all the kite festivals sponsored by Let’s Fly a Kite, there are no rules, no judges, no prizes. And, according to festival organizer Gloria Lugo, you don’t even need a kite to enjoy the day.

Fun Just to Watch

“Many people come down just to enjoy the beautiful sight of so many kites in the air,” she said.

Kites will be for sale ($4 and up) at a booth at the foot of the pier. The festival is expected to draw “the best local kite fliers,” she said. “We have people from China, Israel, Japan, as well as artists who have turned their talents to designing kites and flying them.”

The pier, complete with food vendors, arcade games, bumper cars and carrousel, will be easily accessible to festival-goers. Picnicking on the beach is the traditional way for families to enjoy the kite flies. The pier is at the west end of Colorado Avenue. There is parking on the pier or in a north side lot. Information: (213) 822-2561.