Kite Festival History

The Smithsonian Kite Festival was founded in 1967 by aviation pioneer Paul E. Garber (1899-1992). He is a founder of the National Air & Space Museum (NASM) and was NASM’s first historian Emeritus.

The Smithsonian Kite Festival, one of the kite world’s well-known kite events, is sponsored by The Smithsonian Associates and National Air and Space Museum.  The Festival features kite fliers from across the United States and the world.  Traditionally a part of the festivities at cherry blossom time in the Nation’s Capital, the Smithsonian’s colorful Kite Festival is one of the most popular annual events held on the National Mall.

For more information call 202-633-8636.