Berkeley Kite Festival flies high over Northern California July 26 and 27

Tom McAlister refers to himself as the “last dog standing” -- or maybe it should be flying? -- among the handful of kite stores that once did business in the San Francisco Bay area.

“We have modest expectations, so we’ve been able to stick it out,” said the owner of Highline Kites in Berkeley. “Specialty retail is a challenge.”

For 22 years, he has organized the Berkeley Kite Festival, which draws about 15,000 to 25,000 visitors and fans, and where neophytes and pros share the sky. This year the free event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 26 and 27 at Cesar E. Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina.

Some of the highlights are listed below. Info: Call (510) 235-5483 or see Highlinekites.com.Team kite ballet: “It’s a cross between the Blue Angels and pairs ice skating,” McAlister says. Teams have anywhere from two to 10 “pilots” with aerobatic kites who perform a choreographed routine to music. Newbies: It takes time to develop these skills. A team called iQuad will be showing up with four-string kites.Japanese-style Rokkaku kite battle: OK, this sounds way more violent than it is. Each prefecture, or county, in Japan has a kite form unique to that region, McAlister explained. In this event, team members fly one kite and try to take their opponents out of the sky. “No matter what happens in the battle, you must declare victory,” McAlister said. “Verbal intimidation is encouraged, but no body contact is allowed.”World-record attempt for giant creatures: The Berkeley Kite Wranglers, a team that flies giant creatures (roughly the size of the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade kites) such as teddy bears, manta rays, octopuses, squids will attempt to set a record with an “octopile.” The team plans to simultaneously fly 22 octopus kites that are 100 feet long and 22 feet wide. Candy drop: McAlister claims to have “invented” the event that he describes as a cross between Halloween and smash-the-piñata. A giant kite goes up with a specially rigged bag of candy that then showers goodies below. How popular is this? Last year, 800 kids participated -- each day.