Kite festival again draws thousands

BERKELEY, Calif. — For more than 30 years, the Berkeley Kite Festival has drawn thousands of locals and tourists alike. Thousands of people and hundreds of kites fill the skies for the annual event at the Berkeley Marina.

The festival’s entrance is at Cesar Chavez Park, on the northside of the Berkeley Marina. The 2019 event featured food booths, a petting zoo, zip line and dance performances in addition to kite flying. (Photo by Lynne Perri)

This year was no exception. Cesar Chavez Park was flooded with people who came not only to fly kites but also to make them. Traditional Asian music was performed in the afternoon by Taiko drummers. Both ethnic and traditional American food trucks lent the festival an international flair.

The Taiko drummers played for the people at the Kite Festival, creating a joyful environment, in which people gathered around and joined them in their cultural dances. (Photo by Stephanie Schreiber/Teen Observer)

Chandler Isaac, a first-timer, described the festival as “surprising.” Families from all over the country have made this a tradition to relish with loved ones, Sabine Roehl said, adding that “I plan on bringing my family and friends here again until my kids decide they don’t want to come back.”  

The atmosphere was welcoming and open, Julian Carvahal said. “It felt like a tight community” with a relaxed feel to it, he said.

Watch the video.

Learn more about the Kite Festival here:

http://www.highlinekites.com/pages/berkeley-kite-fest.html