Our History
Almost 100 years of tradition
For nearly a century, the ABC Kite Fest has soared above Austin as more than just an event—it is one of the city’s most cherished traditions and the longest-running festival of its kind in the country. What began in 1929 as a simple solution to keep children active and encourage play has blossomed into a celebration that creates memories spanning generations and connects families through the timeless magic of kite flying.
Where it all began
The story starts with Exchange Club of Austin, a local non-profit civic organization founded in 1924, member Ed St. John recognized that Austin’s youth needed constructive activities to channel their energy and creativity. In 1929, when building a kite was a serious undertaking requiring carpentry skills and cotton sheets, the Exchange Club organized the first kite tournament at Lamar Park. The Exchange Club’s mission of service to youth found perfect expression in this celebration of imagination, courage and family.
When Zilker Park officially opened in 1936 as a part of Texas’ 150th anniversary, the kite festival became the park’s very first event—a distinction it holds proudly to this day. The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department was created the same year and joined the kite festival as a sponsor.Those early years captured something magical: families could drive their cars right onto the field, opening their tailgates to create the perfect vantage point for watching handcrafted kites dance against the Texas sky.
Becoming Part of Austin’s Soul
In 1956, adults were allowed to compete alongside children, acknowledging that the joy of kite flying knows no age limits. Through the decades, the festival remained a constant—a touchstone of community connection in an ever-changing city.
What makes the festival truly special isn’t just its longevity, but its unwavering commitment to being freely accessible to all. For nearly 100 years, the festival has represented a genuine celebration of community where the only requirement for participation is the desire to experience kite flying’s magic blend of art and engineering.
In 2017, when increasing expenses threatened the festival’s future, ABC Home and Commercial Services stepped in to bridge the gap. As long-time supporters of the festival, ABC shared a deep commitment to Austin and recognized the irreplaceable role this tradition plays in bringing families together and celebrating the creativity that defines our city.
To ensure its continuation, ABC and the Exchange Club of Austin created the Friends of the ABC Kite Fest, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring the longevity of this cherished Austin tradition. Alongside the Exchange Club of Austin, ABC has ensured that Austinites can keep enjoying the Kite Fest for generations to come.
Austin’s Original Icon
Today, as it approaches its 100-year anniversary, the ABC Kite Fest stands as the Exchange Club of Austin’s enduring gift to our city, representing a living piece of Austin’s heritage that connects its past, present and future.
The festival continues to bring families together, inspire creativity and provide that unmistakable magic that comes from seeing hundreds of colorful kites filling the sky above Zilker Park.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or someone who’s been attending for decades, the ABC Kite Fest remains what it has always been: a celebration of imagination, community and the simple joy of watching something beautiful take flight. For generations of Austinites, the festival has become synonymous with the arrival of spring—a beloved signal that warmer days and outdoor adventures are ahead.
Supporting Tomorrow’s Families
Through support from sponsors and community partners, Friends of the ABC Kite Fest enables one of Austin’s longest-standing traditions to thrive and grow. Today, all proceeds from the festival are gifted to the Moss Pieratt Foundation and the Exchange Club of Austin, extending the festival’s legacy of community service.
Established in 2015 by the Pieratt and Jenkins families following the death of John “Moss” Pieratt, Jr., the foundation honors Moss’s joyful life while funding research into sudden unexplained death in childhood over the age of 12 months. Moss’s love for music and people inspired the creation of MossFest, a children’s concert that debuted at the 2016 festival and has become a beloved tradition within the larger celebration.
The partnership between the ABC Kite Fest and the Moss Pieratt Foundation represents the continuation of the festival’s founding spirit—using community celebration to create positive change.