FREE Austin Kite Festival- Let's Picnic!

## Soar into spring with one of Austin’s oldest traditions!

| The **ABC Kite Fest **returns on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Zilker Park from 10 AM to 5 PM. Celebrating its 97th year, this free event continues to bring together families, kite enthusiasts, and the Austin community for a day of fun and creativity. There are over 30 exhibitors ranging from pet training to rock climbing and over 20 different food vendors who will wow your taste buds.

This year’s event highlights include:

Kite Contest & Showcase – A competition for the most impressive kite designs, kite flyer, and largest and smallest kites.
MossFest – A children’s concert featuring performances by local area children's musicians.
Kids Club – Offers free bounce houses and a ton of other activities to keep your little one entertained.
Pet Zone – An off-leash playground for puppies and pet lovers.
Mini Market – A pop-up shop featuring local crafts and arts.
For an exclusive experience, the High Flyer Club, presented by Texas Mutual, offers VIP perks like face painting, catered meals, and comfortable seating. As a Chronicle reader you can purchase your VIP passes at 25% off using code AC-VIP at checkout.
How to get there?

Shuttle passes are available for $5 and run from Toney Burger Center to Zilker Park from 9:30 until 5pm. Wanting to drive? Parking passes are available for $25 dollars. You can purchase your VIP and transportation passes at abckitefest.org.

Bring a cooler/picnic/drinks/blanket or chair and settle in for a special afternoon. You can bring a kite, make a kite or just come and watch other kites soaring over Zilker Park! The kite contest and showcase begins at 1:00 PM for the fastest, strongest and weirdest kites!

### 50 Yard Dash – 1:00 PM

Competition is open to children 7 to 12 years of age. Kites will fly on 50 feet of string. Kite string will be measured before the contest. Contestants will race to the finish line. Winner must have their kite stay in the air for the whole race.

### Highest Angle Kite – 1:20 PM Youth | 1:40 PM Adult

Competitors will release 200 feet of string and stand on a designated line. The kite flying at the highest angle overhead from the point of mooring wins the competition. For example, a kite flying directly over your head would win. String will be measured.

### Steadiest Kite – Youth: 2:00 PM | Adult: 2:20 PM

Winning kite is the least active kite in the air with or without a tail. Steadiest kite event has Youth and Adult categories.

### Best Kite Pilot – Youth: 2:40 PM | Adult: 3:00 PM

Open to both youths and adults. Judges award prizes for best technical single line kite flying and presentation. Costumes and props are encouraged. Dual-line kites are not eligible to compete.Smallest Kite – 3:20 PM
Entries must fly on 25 feet of line higher than the point of mooring.

### Most Unusual Kite – Youth: 3:40 PM | Adult: 4:00 PM

Entries are judged on theme, construction and design. Judges will look for odd, striking or novel features and shapes.

### Largest Kite – 4:20 PM

Square footage of the sail area will determine the largest kite. Kite Trains are not allowed. Kites must be capable of flying for one minute to qualify. Contestants are limited to three attempts in this event.

## We will plan to gather along the west side of the contest field (depending on the wind direction). Call 410 984 8624 if needed.