By Taylor Battie
BERKELEY, Calif. — César E. Chávez Park in the Berkeley Marina hosted its 34th annual Kite Festival this past weekend. The festival has been a hit with both residents and travelers ever since 1985, and continues to grow and improve each year.
People from all walks of life gathered together in appreciating and enjoying the craftsmanship, kite flying, culture, shopping and diverse food options that are associated with the festival.
Here are five things you can’t miss:
1. FOOD
No matter where you look while visiting the Kite Festival, there will be lines of food trucks in your sights. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, you can choose from food that varies from fruit topped with lime tamarind to hot dogs or barbecue chicken, and everything in between. Be sure to bring cash because most trucks cannot accept cards.
2. STREET VENDORS
Another fun activity for visitors of all ages is browsing the various vendor stalls present throughout the festival. These friendly owners sell a variety of items, including sunglasses, legos, stuffed animals and, of course, kites. Kites of all shapes and sizes can be purchased from almost every vendor at the venue. Even the acclaimed “smallest kite in the world” can be found on the sides of the walkways.
3. KIDS ACTIVITIES
This festival is completely family-friendly as there are many activities for children. These include zip-lining, arts and crafts, bungee trampolining and the infamous “candy drop.” You can also visit the petting zoo for a pony ride or the face painting station for some extra fun.
4. STREET PERFORMERS
There’s never a dull moment at the festival, so you don’t have to look far to find a performance to watch. Street performers line the walkways showcasing their various talents. These performances include Japanese dancing, synchronized kite-flying and the work of a not-so PG-13 magician. No matter what you watch, it is worth a moment of your time.
5. LIVE MUSIC
This year’s festival included the talents of a group of Taiko Drummers from Hamamatsu, Japan, who captivated the audience with their traditional sound. They were accompanied by Japanese dancers whose synchronized movements and chanting allowed the audience to become fully immersed in the cultural experience. Visitors can expect more live music and multicultural experiences at future festivals.
OBVIOUSLY, THE KITES
We said there were only five things, but it wouldn’t be the Kite Festival without the kites. There are many displays of fine craftsmanship all throughout the festival, as many people create their own kites. It’s easy to see the passion and excitement that radiates throughout the park as kites of all shapes and sizes fly through the air. For newcomers, there are free kite- making and kite-flying lessons available.
Whether flying a kite with your family and friends, or spectating a performance or Rokkaku battle, there are endless ways to appreciate and have fun with kites at this festival.
Each kite is like a work of art and the festival presents visitors with the opportunity to have an experience like no other.
Check out more photos on Instagram.