Kites to soar over Austin’s sky this weekend
https://www.kxan.com/weather/weather-blog/kites-to-soar-over-austins-sky/
Check out the colorful scenes at ABC Kite Fest 2023 at Zilker Park
https://www.statesman.com/picture-gallery/news/2023/04/01/abc-kite-fest-2023-photos-zilker-park-austin-texas/11584708002/
Kites soar into Austin skies as treasured ABC Kite Fest returns for 92nd year
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/kites-soar-into-austin-skies-as-treasured-abc-kite-fest-returns-for-92nd-year/
ABC Kite Fest Returns as City-Wide Celebration of Austin’s Parks and Creativity in Children
ABC Kite Fest Returns as City-Wide Celebration of Austin’s Parks and Creativity in Children
The annual tradition continues as kite fliers participate across the Austin community and online
AUSTIN, Texas (March 9, 2021)—The ABC Kite Fest, one of Austin’s most iconic traditions, today announced details for its 92nd year. In accordance with local health and safety guidelines, the 2021 ABC Kite Fest will return March 27 and 28 as a city-wide celebration of Austin’s parks in partnership with Austin Parks Foundation. Sponsored in part by KXAN and Texas Mutual, this year’s ABC Kite Fest encourages Austinites to get outside and fly a kite at their neighborhood park while wearing proper face coverings and maintaining safe social distance from others.
“It’s not officially spring in Austin without the ABC Kite Fest, and we’re thrilled to return this year and keep one of the city’s most cherished and iconic traditions alive,” said Bobby Jenkins, CEO and owner of ABC Home & Commercial Services. “While the event looks a bit different from years’ past, the festival’s fundamental mission to foster childhood creativity rings true and is as strong as ever before. Whether you’re flying a kite for the first time, hosting your own kite contest or discovering your new favorite local park or green space, this year’s event can’t be missed.”
Highlights for the 92nd event include:
- The Exchange Club Community Kite Contest, presented by CapMetro: Festival organizers encourage families to host kite contests within their COVID-safe community groups. Learn how to host your own kite contest—and how to be featured on the ABC Kite Fest’s social media platforms—on the ABC Kite Fest website.
- MossFest, honoring the joyful life of Moss Pieratt: A children’s concert featuring a variety of playful and family-friendly artists. This year, MossFest will air as a virtual concert through the ABC Kite Fest and Moss Pieratt Foundation websites and will include appearances by Tiarra Girls, Terri Hendrix, Barton Hills Choir, Mr. Will and others.
- Pet Zone, presented by H-E-B: An off-leash pet playground pop-up in Zilker Park featuring dog-friendly activities including a three-ring jump and tunnel run.
Founded in 1929 by The Exchange Club of Austin, the ABC Kite Fest is now the longest-running festival of its kind, underwritten by ABC Home & Commercial Services and produced by the Friends of the ABC Kite Fest, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Proceeds from the ABC Kite Fest benefit Communities in Schools of Central Texas and the Moss Pieratt Foundation.
“The ABC Kite Fest is one of the city’s most anticipated annual events, and we’re honored to be a part of it,” said Colin Wallis, CEO of Austin Parks Foundation. “This year presents the perfect opportunity for Austinites to explore the nearly 300 parks and green spaces our community has to offer as we extend the festival beyond Zilker Park. We can’t wait to see the entire city filled with kites and families enjoying this time-honored tradition at their local parks.”
All participating kite fliers are encouraged to share photos and videos of their kite-flying experience with the ABC Kite Fest by tagging the festival on Instagram and Facebook. Austin Parks Foundation recommends the following parks and green spaces with ample open space for kite flying during this year’s ABC Kite Fest:
- Bartholomew District Park
- Dick Nichols District Park
- Northwest District Park
- More great parks can be found here on the Austin Parks Foundation’s blog.
As an official sponsor of the ABC Kite Fest, CapMetro recommends using routes throughout the city to navigate to your neighborhood park. Download the CapMetro App to pay for tickets on the go, keep up-to-date on where your bus is and map your entire itinerary. As always, children ages 18 and younger ride free every day.
Visit the Austin Parks Foundation website for more information on how to safely experience the city’s parks. For more information on ABC Kite Fest, visit www.abckitefest.org. To stay updated on festival news and announcements, download the ABC Kite Fest app on the Apple App Store or Google Play and follow ABC Kite Fest on Instagram and Facebook.
About the ABC Kite Fest
Held each year in March, the ABC Kite Fest is one of Austin’s most beloved, family-friendly traditions. The festival boasts day-long activities for all ages, including the traditional kite-flying contest and showcase, a kids club, pet zone and MossFest, a children’s music concert. Soar into spring and join thousands of Austinites for a free, all-day event filled with kite making, flying and gazing. For more information, visit www.abckitefest.org.
About Austin Parks Foundation
Founded in 1992, Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is dedicated to partnering with our community to enhance people’s lives by making our public parks, trails and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy and financial support. APF is focused on creating equitable access to great parks for all Austinites and helps fill the City’s funding and resource gap in order to develop and maintain Austin’s nearly 300 parks. APF fosters unique public/private partnerships and, since 2006, has given over $3 million in community-initiated grants in service to the greater Austin community. APF is known for its annual flagship volunteer event, It’s My Park Day, and is a presenting partner and beneficiary of the popular Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Metropolitan Park. For more information, please visit www.austinparks.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Reagan Costa
Red Fan Communications
C: (512) 960-7656
ABC Kite Fest photos and graphics are available on request.
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The Best Festivals in Texas
TravelMag gives a rundown of the best festivals in Texas, highlighting the ABC Kite Fest. Read the full article here.
Zilker Kite Festival will be around for at least another half century
ABC Home and Commercial Services has signed a 50-year pledge with the Exchange Club of Austin to host the ABC Zilker Kite Festival. The festival has been going on since 1929, making it the oldest kite festival in the country. Read the full article here.
Tribeza's 12 to Watch, featuring Jessica and J. Pieratt
As a way to honor their son, Jessica and J Pieratt started MossFest, a children’s concert held before the ABC Kite Fest each year. Read more about the couple in Tribeza's 12 to Watch list.