Market Friday goes to the Kite Festival
Up to the highest height
Let's go fly a kite
And send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite
Let's go fly a kite!
From Mary Poppins
Imagine hundreds of kites in every color, shape, and size soaring skyward around the Washington Monument and you will begin to appreciate the Blossom Kite Festival. Kite fliers of all ages from across the United States and the world gather to fly handmade kites and compete for prizes during this colorful event.
The Kite Festival features a handmade kite competition for children and adults, with awards given in categories such as most artistic, most humorous and most patriotic. Other highlights include a Hot Tricks kite flying competition and the popular Rokkaku Kite battle, in which Japanese-style kites battle each other for sole command of the sky.
The original Smithsonian Kite Festival was sponsored by the Smithsonian Associates and the National Air and Space Museum. It was founded in 1967 by aviation pioneer Paul E. Garber (1899-1992).
- Blossom Kite Festival
This enterprising woman flies double-fisted. She officially gets my utmost respect. — at The Washington Monument At National Mall
Smithsonian Castle fly-about — at Smithsonian Castle
STOP!! BRAIN TEASER AHEAD!!
source55
Let's Fly a Kite Sing-A-Long!!! You know you want to!!!!
Everyone was there... and at any event, big or small, they always have pet stations that have treats and water available for free.
Kite appears smaller than actual size. It was a huge monster of a thing.
Til next year — at Washington Monument National Monument
I have been to so many new places lately! I love to share and be shared with! I have always and forever liked to see different fruits and vegetables or products that are being sold. Perhaps I cannot get them here. So, yes! I would love to see yours! Don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be shopping - whether it be the grocery store, the local marketplace or even an art gallery. Wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Be different if you wish! It does not have to be a traditional market! We will love it! I promise you! Don't forget to use the hashtag #MarketFriday and @dswigle.
A flower. There must always be a flower to color my world.
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Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Because of you, I come back to post again and again, I am encouraged by you, for the time you take to visit, comment or even upvote. For all of these reasons, I am eternally grateful. Don't ever forget what a wonderful world we live in, people. Let's hold hands around the globe and make this earth really spin. Some days, it is not as easy to see, how wonderful it really is. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.
I always post this poem down at the bottom of my posts. It is one that has become so near and dear to my heart. I only post the most famous part of it, but, wanted to post it in its entirety today.
they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?
i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.
later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,
"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"
warsan shire
#Steemusa is a growing community of quality-content people from the United States or those living here. Check us out on Discord!
#TheAlliance is an awesome way to grow and discover some quality content. Check us out! Find us on Discord!
I always post this poem down at the bottom of my posts. It is one that has become so near and dear to my heart. I only post the most famous part of it, but, wanted to post it in its entirety today.
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,
"everywhere"
"everywhere"
This was a real fun post until the Pretzel Guy. OMG I have seen a lot of things but WOW! That is exactly how people get a lot of nasty diseases!! That is beyond belief. I cant believe people were actually buying stuff from him!
Any way it looked like a fun time and it is totally amazing to me that with all those kits and the inevitable tangles, that no one ends up beaten badly or shot! Thanks so much for taking us along.
Well, I'm glad that you had a good time and please excuse the pretzel guy! I am sure that he is not a sanctioned seller. The fact that he had a stolen grocery cart and that he was not practicing sanitary Behavior made me turn him in. Who knows if he has any game that he is carrying. And yes, people will buy from him every day because when you start traveling the world oh, you will see that it is a common practice in many places to sell this way. All I can say is, I ain't dead yet. LOL
It was an amazingly fun time and even though there were literally thousands of people gathered and tangling the kites was common, it was part of the charm of being all together and enjoying the day. Thank you for coming along and I hope you have a fabulous rest of your day!
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Well it is a good thing because we had a scare from the Ren Fest last Fall. The health department were all over local media wanting people to go in because some person had Hepatitis but thankfully it was the weekend before we were there! So it was the real deal and too close for comfort!!
That is true! I know it is and that is why I am a little bit more careful than I used to be. Sadly, I did turn the guy in but, he was at a public event and handing out food in an unsanitary way. I know he didn't have a permit for sure.
I remember the hepatitis scare they had up there... and the good thing is that they caught it and were able to identify anyone who might be infected. It is cases like THIS that it goes by unnoticed until one becomes ill.
Way too close for comfort. Yes.
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Okay Denise, you just made my evening! Just looked at your post. What a fun festival! I flew kites as a kid and also flew kites with my kids when they were young. It’s such a fun activity and gets a person outside. And of course I played the video and sang along! That’s one of my favorite songs from Mary Poppins - which I watched many times - my 2 kids enjoyed it also. So thanks for putting a smile on my face!
I am absolutely so happy to hear that! I want you to know that I went down there with no kids, but a kite to fly with a bunch of family with me and we had the most delightful time. I say that, but I never miss a festival. There's just something so nostalgic and wonderful and everybody is in a good mood and there's no fussing about lines being crossed, even though there are literally hundreds and hundreds of kites up in the air at the same time. I love seeing some of the same kites from last year and the year before because the big ones that are 5 and 6 ft big an even bigger than that, are Unforgettable. I did the same thing with the song. Rather than go for the version with the movie I liked having it done this way it was more fun to involve everybody. And wasn't that just such a happy song? My Favorite part probably was when they all put the umbrellas up and surprised those around them!
I am very happy that it made you happy because reading your comment just absolutely made my night. I had a great time there and I am so glad that you had a good time too.
Come on now! Let's go fly a kite!
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop in and make such a lovely comment. It is people like you that change a quiet night into one that has laughter involved. So thank you for that and I hope you have a most fabulous night ahead.
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What a fabulous day! And I had a great time reading your wonderful report! I love very much the photo of Washington Monument rounded with flags - really impressive.
I think we need fests time after time as it is a great chance to cheer up, to meet people, to smile and see smiling loved ones and strangers :)
It was a truly fabulous day! The sky had a sunny disposition and the people did too. Who doesn't love to be in the middle of an atmosphere like that?
The Washington Monument always photographs so beautifully. Can you see the different color of the structure? The backstory is that the building had been started construction and had to stop due to the war and the lack of supply. When it resumed, the color was a little off and they finished it off. So, to me, if I look at it, I can see the two-tones of the structure.
Of course, this doesn't do anything for my love of it! I still love it!
It is always a lovely day when we can get out and make exchanges of human kindness with another. And yes!! I find meeting new people interesting. Thank you for stopping by and always making such lovely comments! I hope you have a most amazing day!
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Really cool and light hearted photos, @dswigle! I still don't get why someone would make and obelisk out of Egypt. Humans and their crazy, megalomaniac ideas. Ahahahah! 😂
Cool photo of the kids on the tree, it makes me wonder when was the last time I did that!!! Too long to remember, it seems... 😕
Thanks for sharing.
It really was a lot of fun going here and I'm glad that it is close enough for me to take advantage of these opportunities. I have no idea what was going through the man's head that built the Washington Monument. I used to know the story, but it has faded over time. I'll have to look that up again. Oh yes, humans can be crazy oh, there's no doubt about that.
It certainly was a wonderful day and it's always a joy to see hundreds of kites in the sky all at the same time. I have been coming here to this Festival for a long time and I still enjoy it. The kids on the tree were a common sight. Although, I must say that they have shunned that when it comes to the cherry trees down at the Tidal Basin. Kids used to climb all over them and over time some of the older trees have gotten damaged oh, so they have stopped that. I actually sat upon one of the lower branches so my experience is a little bit sooner than yours oh, but you climb all the way up to a tree oh, it's been a while.
Thank you for visiting Market Friday and for leaving such a wonderful comment. As always I wish you a most amazing day.
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You're welcome. And thank you for the tip. 😊
My pleasure!
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I've never seen so many kites in my life. These are so beautiful, especially the huge monster, I love how colorful it is. It looks like this was a very nice event and people of all ages had fun together.
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Thank you for running the challenge and have a nice weekend :)
Every year, I always think that I have never seen so many kites. This year, just like every other you there were hundreds upon hundreds flying in the air at the same time. It makes for such a beautiful sight and you can see them in the entire mall area which consists of one mile. It is like a whole mile of kites. Having said that oh, it gets so crowded that people start using the outskirts of that area and so it seems like the entire city is consumed by kites. I don't find that to be a bad thing and it is a very bonding experience with children and their parents and families in general. You would think with all of the people together side by side in strings getting tangled up occasionally that there would be short tempers, but in fact quite the opposite, people stop what they are doing and help others untangle their strings. Never cross words and never any problems there so I always think that there is hope for Humanity when I go to these events and people are kind and polite. As they should be
It is always a beautiful day when you can go out and fly a kite! Thank you for stopping by and I appreciate you dropping your link!
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You have pointed out the most important thing
These events are meant to bring people together and not to separate or upset them. This is mainly for kids and they need to learn to interact with other people and also to handle situations where things don't go as planned. What they see as kids, most like is what they do as adults. So it's nice to see the event is/was successful.
The other good thing is that it's for free. Life is hard enough as it is, no need to stop people from attending just because they can't afford it.
Appreciate the resteem! Thank you so much @pixresteemer!
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What a fun post, I've never heard of such a thing as a Kite Festival. Looks like alotta fun. 👍
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Oh!! You have no idea what you are missing!!! It is a most amazing sight to see hundreds and hundreds of kites in the skies at one time! The pictures never seem to capture it quite right as I was flying one also, so I had to multi-task! :)
Everyone gathers at the Washington Memorial and if you don't have a kite, there are some for sale or there is a kite tent and they teach you how to make one. A most fascinating day, always!
You would think that the lines would get all tangled, but, most people keep really good track of their string, but, when it does happen, well, they just untangle and carry on!
Thank you for stopping by! It is most appreciated as is your kind comment!
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This is awesome, @dswigle! What a glorious day, between the children, kites and animals I would spend the entire day people watching. The Smithsonian Castle is a beautiful backdrop to all off those kites. As for the pretzel vendor....unbelievable!!!! People were actually buying them? Geesh. The guy napping on the grass was a classic, he even took his shoes off, lol What a fun day!
Reading your comment has just made my day! It was so glorious, you are right about that and the entire day could be spent watching people, which you can see I did. Especially the little pretzel guy!
Isn't the Smithsonian cancel so beautiful? So many people think that it looks out of place there, but I just love that Touch of Magic. The man napping on the grass was funny and he even took off his shoes and everything else he could get away. It was the kickoff for spring in the Washington DC area and for some reason, mother nature always cooperates and makes it a nice time. It was wonderful, it was magical, it was making me sing the song Let's Go Fly a Kite the entire day! And yes I turned in the pretzel in to the health department. We don't need to be spreading any more diseases than there already are!
As always I want to thank you for leaving such a wonderful comment and I want you to have a most wonderful weekend!
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Wow!!! I have never seen anything like it. it is truly an amazing sight! great that people in your country have this wonderful event! hee hee hee ))) Denise, you can't come to Israel))))) there are such sellers at every step. I was also always surprised that people buy food from them. if you took these two apples for yourself, then you have two)))))
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It is such an amazing sight, Tali! I wish you could have been here to see it. I go to it every year, but I can say that it still is very amazing to these eyes. To see hundreds and hundreds of kites in the air at the same time is an incredible sight. As I was flying my own oh, I didn't get as much time to take pictures. The day was fun and to be honest, there is always something going on downtown Washington DC. The fact that all of their events are usually free makes it so much more fun to go to these things. Especially when you know you are not going to have to spend a ton of money before you even get to have the fun.
Having the kites tangle was not as big as struggle as you would think. Even though there were some that got mixed up with the string, people were generally kind and patient and would just untangle them and go about their business. No harsh words, so that made for the event to be very nice. Usually everybody is very calm and friendly so I enjoy going to them.
I do understand about the food vendors in many of the other places in the world. That doesn't necessarily bother me but he was alone as there were many vendors that were attached to this event. He did not even have a permit to be there, as the other vendors did. So he was taking business away from them.
Oh! You got the riddle!! :)) You are very good at this!! Thank you for the visit and your always awesome comments! Very much appreciated! As always, I hope you have a most fabulous day!!
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Ya gotta love kites, kids and blue skies. Some of the kites were pretty amazing for self-made. Well, I'm off to bed with a song in my head.
There is something truly magical about kites, whether you be a kid or an adult! The blue skies are just a bonus. I can tell you I have been to this event when the skies were overcast and the rain was coming down.
And honestly, it was still fun!
They have a tent where you can go have a class and learn how to make a tent and honestly some of them are purchased oh, so I don't want you to think that every single one you see is handmade or self made. I'm with you on that song. I think that would be so fun to come upon a piano and someone with a song in their heart, belting out the words and creating the camaraderie of knowing the same song. For all the bad that happens, this world is a pretty amazing place.
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to peruse the post. As always, I hope you have a most amazing day!
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