Arts & Entertainment

World's Largest Flying Octopus – It's the Berkeley Kite Festival

The sky over Cesar Chavez Park will bloom with aerobatic colors and shapes this weekend in the annual Berkeley Kite Festival. On tap: fighting kites, kites bigger than a house, kite competition, make-your-own kites, food and music.

The 28th annual Berkeley Kite Festival takes place this weekend at Cesar Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Those trying to drive to the Berkeley Marina on those days may find parking a challenge. The charge for parking at the Marina will be $15, with overflow parking, also $15, at Golden Gate Fields, where shuttles will take visitors to the park.

The festival organizer, Highline Kites of Berkeley, provided the following program of activities at the free event:

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES:

   » Free Kite Making, 11:00-1:00
   » Free Candy Drops, 2:30
   » Free Kite Flying Lessons, 11:00-4:00
   » Free Rokkaku Battle

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SPECIAL GUESTS:

   » The Berkeley Kite Wranglers & Friends
   » Bay Area Sport Kite League 
   » Sode Cho Kite Team of Hamamatsu Japan
   » Brian Champie’s King of the Hill Gang      

Find out what's happening in Berkeleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
   » Worlds Largest Octopus Kite
   » Humongous Kites: Bigger than a house and longer than a train!
   » Team Kite Ballet
   » The Berkeley Kite Wranglers & Friends
   » West Coast Kite Championship competition presented by BASKL
   » 20,000 sq. ft. of Giant Creature Kites from New Zealand!
   » Taiko Drummers
   » Japanese-Style Rokkaku Kite Battle for the Skies
   » Giant Kite Sales Tent
   » Manufacturers' Demonstrations
   » Free Kite Making, Kite Flying Lessons and Candy Drop!
   » Great Food & Music!
   » Arts & Crafts Booths
   » Sunday Evening Dinner Cruise on the Empress Hornblower Dining Yacht



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