Hanging From A Kite (50MB MP4)

First Annual Blossom Kite Festival Rokkaku Challenge (150MB MP4)

My idea for the banners was the cover an area of beach in horizontal banners that would occupy space and color in the area without requiring a large amount of time-time and sewing. Depending on the height of the vertical supports, these could also provide shade for reclining Squadron kiters.

Here’s the quick wrap-up on the National Cherry Blossom Kite Festival.

The day started out chilly, and the wind was near dead. However, the sun came out and the wind blew well by the end of the day. Chrooke, Skyamese, Lady Vader, the Tattooed Lady, Kalika, Complex, Bryan, and Nancy all attended.

Chrooke entered his logo rok in the kite-making competition, and got compliments on how well it flew.

Complex and Chrooke flew in the rokkaku battle, with Kalika catching and Bryan judging. The first heat was disastrous, but we got a couple points back in the second heat. Finally, Chrooke piloted an amazing third heat that took the team from nothing to third place.

Complex’s Photo Slideshow:

UPDATE b: We’ll be meeting up at the Blossom Kite Festival’s registration tent at 12:30. Chrooke will be holding his blue logo kite (on display at right) there as a sign.
Also, you can message Complex during the day by tweeting @midnightsquad, or simply call him if you have his number.

The Blossom Kite Festival was rescheduled for Sunday, April 10th!

The schedule is up, too:

Blossom Kite Festival Schedule
10:00 AM Opening remarks; Registration begins

Demonstration Field
10:15 AM – 12:00 PM Kite Ballets & Demonstrations
12:00 – 1:00 PM Youth Kite Makers Competition
1:00 – 2:00 PM Kite Ballets & Demonstrations

Competition Field
10:15 AM – 1:00 PM Kite Makers Showcase (Hand-made kites only)
1:00 – 2:00 PM Kite Makers Competition
2:00 – 3:00 PM Hot Tricks Showdown
3:00 – 4:00 PM Rokkaku Battle

But keep in mind that they may move events around as weather and politics demand; for example, the Rok battle has been moved to 2pm in the past.

Hope we see you there on April 10th!

The Blossom Kite Festival has been postponed due to expected inclement weather. The organizers expect to announce a new date on Monday.

The Midnight Squadron will be flying at the Washington Monument on Sunday.

I will be flying at the Washington Monument on Sunday, April 10, from 2pm to 4pm. I intend to fly on the Mall where the Blossom Kite Festival should be, in the corner of Constitution and 17th. We will fight rokkaku.

I will do this regardless of any government closure or shutdown. I state this because the Kite Fly must happen, and it’s not practical to postpone it indefinitely at the last moment. Flying during a government closure won’t stop our participation in the Blossom Kite Festival, when it happens. I will make plan the details and discuss in the comments.

The only things that will keep me off the Mall are official fences, armed guards and lightning.
Let nothing less stand in the way of our flying!

your Scribe and Rokkaku Battlemaster,
Complex

See more under the “BlossomKiteFestival” tag.

You can read more detail at the Kite Loft page.

OceanCity.com lists rokkaku fighting as one of the events, which you know got my attention.

Expo features impressive ground & air demonstrations of color & imagination. Activities include sport kite demonstrations, giant kites and lessons in kite making. Events & other competitions such as candy drops & rokkaku battles throughout the weekend. Come enjoy one of the largest kite festivals in the USA. Located on the beach at N. Division St. on 6th St. Hours: Friday through Sunday from 9am – 9pm. For more information, contact Jay Kerr at 410-289-7855 or visit www.kiteloft.com.

Interested in going? Arranging travel & rooming? Discuss in comments!

• It’s very sensitive to the tension setting on the sewing machine. Testing on scraps and adjusting is a must.
• Needle holes do not self-seal, so once you’ve punched a hole, it’s there. Use a small diameter needle, and make as few mistakes as possible.
• It handles more like paper than cloth. It’s fairly stiff, so it’s hard to keep lined up and flat under the needle while bundling up the excess kite sail that isn’t getting stiched. Again, practice helps a lot.
• It’s slippery and does not take to adhesives well. You can use a little bit of water and get two parts to stay together nicely long enough to sew, but don’t put too much strain on them. Spray adhesive tends to leave marks. Pins leave the holes. Glue doesn’t really stick. Melting methods are more reliable.
• I did have some success ironing Icarex, using a very low setting on the iron and keeping the iron moving. Be very careful.

My best advice for Icarex is practice, practice, practice. Even though it’s expensive, buy a little extra and get used to it.