Go fly a kite!
Kites over Lake HarrietCourtesy Mark RyanOver the centuries, kites have been used for ceremonial purposes, military tactics, scientific experiments, and of course just for fun. The actual origin of kites is sketchy. Some historians claim the islanders of the South Seas first used them to catch fish. But others say kites were first invented in China nearly 2500 years ago. 
Steady as she goes.: Kids love flying kites.Courtesy Mark Ryan
Some fanciful kitesCourtesy Mark RyanWhatever the case, kites are fun to fly. Yesterday, the 10th Annual Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival took place on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. Despite the frigid temperatures, it was a beautiful day for the event. A big crowd was present when I was there, and there were some colorful as well as unusual kites in the air. And it’s not just a matter of slapping a sheet of old newspaper to a couple slats of balsawood and adding a tail and some string, kite-flying involves a lot of science.
It ain't rocket science: But keeping a kite aloft takes more than just a good breeze.Courtesy Mark RyanAnyway, the event was sponsored by several organizations, including the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, and the Minnesota Kite Society. 
Successful kite launch: Up, up, and away!Courtesy Mark Ryan
If you want to get involved in kite-flying yourself, there’s a ton of information on the Internet to get you started. I’ve linked to a few of the better ones I found including the site for National Kite Month, which runs this spring from March 27th to May 2nd.
Come on now; get off that couch, join in the fun, and go fly a kite.
Using Kites to Study Aerodynamics
World’s largest kite plan archive
PBS Challenge: How does a kite fly?
The Kite Society (UK)
Kite Study for Children (includes some history)
National Kite Month
Off we go!!: A bundled kite-flyer gives her aircraft a good boost at launchCourtesy Mark Ryan
All sorts of kitesCourtesy Mark Ryan
Giant bear kite dominates the skyCourtesy Mark Ryan
Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival: Minneapolis, MNCourtesy Mark Ryan
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Thank you for this great article and photos! One of the kites I flew at Lake Harriet was "Buddy" the teddy bear. I thought you should know that many, many people asked me what kind of "gas" I filled Buddy with to keep him up in the air. Many thought I had filled him with heliim.
But the only thing that made Buddy fly was the wind! It takes a lot of wind to inflate him, but we don't use gas of any kind to help us.
Larry Day
Clear Lake, Iowa
Hey thanks, Larry. And thanks for the "inside" info about Buddy. He was an impressive kite.
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