OJAC to host family festival

By Melinda L. Lucas

Families are invited to celebrate the beginning of Spring Break and International Kite Month at a special event this Saturday, March 7 at the Old Jail Art Center. 

With the start of spring less than two weeks away, the OJAC staff is planning to observe warmer weather by creating kites from styles and designs from all over the globe, according to Old Jail education director Erin Whitmore.

“Family Festival: Kites Around the World,” geared toward children of all ages, will begin at 12:00 noon and end at 3:00 p.m., with docents, junior docents, and other volunteers helping with activities.

“Many countries around the world celebrate the warm weather of spring with kites,” said Whitmore. “Countries such as Guatemala, Australia, Bali, Italy, Pakistan, China, and Japan all have national kite flying holidays.”

The museum hosts family festivals several times a year, but this is the first one that features kites and kite flying.

“Bring the whole family and craft a set to fly this season,” said Whitmore. 

Participants can listen to spring-themed music and eat some special treats.

“Then keep your fingers crossed for a windy day!” Whitmore said.

In addition to making and coloring kites, OJAC staff members are working on some other kite-inspired crafts and games.

History of Kites

Kites were invented in Asia, though their exact origin can only be speculated. The oldest depiction of a kite is from a Mesolithic period cave painting on Muna island, southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, which has been dated from 9500-9000 years B.C.

Kites were late to arrive in Europe, and although they were initially regarded as mere curiosities, by the 18th and 19th centuries they were being used as vehicles for scientific research.

In 1752, Benjamin Franklin published an account of a kite experiment to prove that lightning was caused by electricity.

Kites were also instrumental in the research of the Wright brothers and others as they developed the first airplane in the late 1800s. Several different designs of man-lifting kites were developed.

In the 20th century, kites were used for scientific purposes, especially in meteorology, aeronautics, wireless communications and photography. The Rogallo wing was adapted for stunt kites and hang gliding, and the parafoil was adapted for parachuting and paragliding.

Kites are now mostly used for recreation. 

Kite festivals are held around the world, depending on windy seasons. In the United States, April is designated as National Kite Month, although regional events take place all through the year.

The family festival is free and open to the public.

Those with questions can contact the OJAC education department at 325-762-2936.