Weymouth International Beach Kite Festival 2008

3rd - 5th May

The 18th Weymouth International Beach Kite Festival will this year be held on Sunday 4th and Monday 5th May. Saturday 3rd May is reserved as a free flying day with no organised events taking place but the beach is free to be used for flying.

As usual a number of overseas visitors will be there flying their kites as well as many UK based kitefliers. Oveseas visitors include Janneke Groen, Rolf Sturm, Lutor Marx, Ralf Maserski, Frits Groenhart, Michel Depuijt, Jeroem Colpaert, Jos and Katje Valke plus the Flying Squad, Close Encounters, Team Spectrum, Kelvin Woods and the Avon Kite Fliers.

The festival will run along the normal lines with a few competitions, many demonstrations and free flying. Whilst on the subject of demonstrations if anyone who is thinking of attending wants to do something in the arena as a demonstration can they please contact us in advance so that we can plan it in. A childrens kite workshop will also be held on the beach.

As with last years event ALL participants who require access to the beach flying areas MUST register and collect an access badge from the control point situated on the Esplanade. This is located opposite Bond Street.

Sunday evening has the usual Civic Reception with the Mayor followed by the fireworks display at 9:30pm. There will be a DVD show of various kite festivals, including last years Weymouth. There will be basket meals and light snacks available for those who want to eat and a pay bar. Everyone is welcome to come along to chat and entry is free! The reception is at the Weymouth Pavilion from 7:30pm. The bar will be open until 11:00pm.

For those who wish to there is a slot for night flying on Sunday evening, from 9:00pm, which is followed by the usual firework display.

Accommodation

Accommodation can be booked via one of the following routes— The Accommodation Line on 01305 785747. Or via the Weymouth web site at www.weymouth.gov.uk. Email: tourism@wpbc.weymouth.gov.uk. Reservations can be made for all classes of accommodation including caravan and camping.

Car Parking

Once again there is free parking available but space is limited and restricted to Kite Society members. Once the tickets have gone we cannot get any more. Tickets are valid for three days, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. One ticket per car for all days.

The car park is situated behind the Pavilion and spaces are available on a first come first served basis—it is also a general public car park! Please send your request to the Kite Society at the address on page 2 and remember to enclose a stamped addressed envelope and your membership number as passes will NOT be sent without one.

Traders

Kite traders are very welcome to attend and ply their wares. The charge structure this year is:

Up to 15ft (4.5m) frontage: 3 days £210, 1 or 2 days £185.

Over 15ft (4.5m) frontage: 3 days £240, 1 or 2 days £215.

Payment and booking must be in advance and should be sent to the address below. Please make all cheques payable to the Kite Society. Note that only 15 sites are available so book early.

Timetable:

2008 Weymouth Kite Festival Timetable

Saturday 3rd May - free flying on the beach all day. No formal events or competitions.

Sunday 4th May

10:30 Altitude Sprint Competition

10:45 Display by Team Spectrum

11:00 Official opening

11:15 Kite display by Guest Kite Fliers.

11:45 Kite Display by the Avon Kite Fliers

12:15 Displays by Close Encounters, The Flying Squad and Team Spectrum.

13:00 Kite display by Guest Kite Fliers

13:30 Serpent Kite Display

14:00 The Seascape - flying of kites that have a connection with the sea

14:30 Team Rokkaku Fighting

14:45 Butterfly Kite Display

15:00 Displays by Team Spectrum, Close Encounters and The Flying Squad
 

15:30 Mass Kite display by Guest Kite Fliers

16:00 Kite Display by the Avon Kite Fliers

16:30 Displays by Team Spectrum, Close Encounters and The Flying Squad
 

Monday 5th May

10:30 Altitude Sprint Competition

10:45 Close Encounters kite display

11:15 Kite display by Guest Kite Fliers.

11:45 Kite Display by the Avon Kite Fliers

12:15 Displays by Close Encounters, The Flying Squad and Team Spectrum.

13:00 Kite display by Guest Kite Fliers

13:30 Flying menagerie – an assortment of creature kites!

14:00 Displays by Close Encounters, The Flying Squad and Team Spectrum

14:30 Team Rokkaku Fighting

14:45 Serpent Kites display.

15:00 Butterfly kite display
 

15:30 Mass Kite display by Guest Kite Fliers

16:00 Kite Display by the Avon Kite Fliers

16:30 Prize giving and close


 

As normal all subject to wind and weather.