40th Annual

Smithsonian Kite Festival

"Blowin in the Wind"

Saturday, March 25, 2006
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On the National Mall

Rules and Regulations- Kitemaker Competition

Registration for the hand-made kite competition takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on the day of the festival. Look for the Judging and Registration tent.

Definition: A kite is a tethered heavier-than-air craft that depends only on the wind for lift.

1. These rules govern the Smithsonian Kite Festival’s Kitemakers’ Competition. The purpose of the competition is to showcase high-quality handmade, hand-crafted kites in a venue that is enjoyable for participants and spectators. Judging will be conducted according to the rules specified below. Judges will be skilled kitemakers and kitefliers with signficant experience in judging kitemaking competitions. The highest standards of safety and sportsmanship are expected of all participants and staff associated with this event. Any failure to observe these rules may result in disqualification from the competition by the judges or the Chief Judge.

2. By order of the Federal Aviation Administration, a kite whose weight exceeds 5 pounds cannot be flown more than 500 feet above the surface of the earth without prior FAA authorization. The Washington Monument is 555 feet high.

3. When informed that a Presidential helicopter is approaching, all kites must be pulled down immediately, and not re-flown until the all-clear announcement.

4. An individual may participate in the competition with only one handmade, hand-crafted kite (either self-made or made through a joint effort with other kitemakers). Only kites made and flown by the kite-maker(s) will be eligible for competition.

5. No kite that has won an award at a previous Smithsonian Kite Festival will be eligible for competition. A kite flyer may enter a kite that is similar to a kite for which he or she won an award at a previous Smithsonian Kite Festival only if it is of all new construction. Further, the artistic or mechanical design must differ from or improve upon the award-winning aspects of the previous entry.

6. This is a comprehensive event. Judges give separate scores for craftsmanship, design, appearance, and flight performance. These component scores are combined to compute the total score.

7. The entrant selects the desired kite type category from either the self-made or joint-effort entry categories (help is provided to aid in an appropriate selection). The contestant receiving the highest score of those contestants entered in that kite category will win the award. Awards will be given in a category only if there are three or more flight-qualified entrants, or if the highest score is at least 75% of the maximum (75 points out of 100 total possible points).

8. There are three levels of competition: Youth, Kite Maker, and Master Kite Maker. Contestants age 15 and under compete in the Youth category. The Kite Maker competition is open to all contestants who have not previously won two adult awards at the Smithsonian Kite Festival or who are not professionally involved in designing or manufacturing kites. Adults or seniors who have previously won two adult awards at the Smithsonian Kite Festival, or who are professional kite designers or manufacturers, must compete as Master Kite Makers. However, any contestant may elect to compete as a Master Kite Maker.

9. In the event of a total-score tie for an award, the winner will be that contestant who has the higher flight performance score. If those scores are tied, the higher scores for design, craftsmanship and appearance, in that order, will determine the winner. If those factors are tied, the two kites will be flown together and the judges will select the winner.

10. Only kites that fly will be eligible for awards. The criteria for normal wind conditions are for a kite to be able to fly steadily at a minimum of 100 feet for five minutes. The flight judges will make the determination as to whether or not the kite has been flight-qualified. Judges will take into account special circumstances (such as very small kites or wind conditions). Your kite should be tested and adjusted prior to entering the flying area for judging so it is ready for flight.

11. If the weather is poor or winds are very low or erratic, the Chief Judge may implement the "Low Wind Procedures." Under these conditions, participants will be asked to use a long line launch or to tow their kites so they can be judged for flight performance.

12. If a kite is damaged during the demonstration, and if the performance judges permit, the kite flier may undertake its repair. A Kite Hospital is provided where you can work. If the kite is repaired before the judging time closes, it may be resubmitted for judging of flight performance.

13. Friends or Festival Kite Handlers may assist in the launching kites, but the kite must be flown by the kite maker. Competitors may have assistance in repairing a damaged kite, subject to the provisions of Rule 12 above.

14. When flight performance judging has been completed, contestants will be asked to leave the flight judging area. All kites must be kept clear of the competition area when not flying for performance judging.

15. The Field Commander manages the escorts and is in charge of the flight competition area. He or she will make all decisions about conduct on the field to ensure safety and a fair opportunity for all. Safety is very important! The Field Commander has the authority to disqualify any contestant behaving in an unsafe, discourteous, disruptive, or unsportsmanlike manner.

16. The officials of the Smithsonian Kite Festival, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Park Service, and Recreation Department of the District of Columbia reserve the right to exclude any activity or person whose behavior is considered inappropriate, objectionable, or unsafe.

17. Each participant is responsible for cleaning up any debris resulting from his or her participation in this kite festival. We are grateful to the National Capital Parks Service for our use of this area, and we will cooperate in keeping it clean.

18. Any questions concerning interpretation of the above rules and regulations, the judging process, or appeals regarding scores will be submitted before the end of the competition to the Chief Judge who will rule as he or she considers best. Any questions concerning registration, entry procedures, awards, or use of the speaker's stand will be brought to the attention of the Chief Judge.

RAIN DATE: Sunday, March 26, 2006      

For more information call 202-357-3030.