Kites Fly at Berkeley Marina

Berkeley Marina is home to both the living variety of kites (White-tailed) and the human-inspired versions -- the ones flying en masse next weekend at the Berkeley Kite Festival.

I've seen enough near misses between stunt kites and humans to appreciate the lessons offered at this year's event. But the festival experience can be strictly passive, too. It's an opportunity for kite flyers, kid kiters, and kite watchers to congregate at the Marina for two days of demonstrations, competitions, and special exhibitions -- like the “Machijirushi," a centuries-old kite craft from Hamamatsu.

Beware that traffic will probably be a crush in the Berkeley Marina, and parking is $10. You might consider making a walk or bike ride from east of I-80 -- across the pedestrian/bike bridge. North Berkeley BART station is about a mile and a half from the pedestrian bridge. Or, you can catch the AC Transit #51 from Berkeley BART, which will take you near the end of University Avenue to West Berkeley Amtrak.

My usual disclaimer: Remember the area around Berkeley Marina is sensitive habitat for a wide variety of native wildlife, so always tread lightly on the wild lands and public trails.

Details: July 26 & 27, 2008 | 11:00a to 5:00p | Cesar E. Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina

Related Resources:

• Updated: Berkeley Kite Festival Photos (2008)
• Berkeley Kite Festival Website
• History of Kite Design (Andy Wardley)
• Kitelife Magazine

^{Photo © Ingrid Taylar}