Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 19, 1991 TAG: 9103190373
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: NF-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The festival is free and open to the public. It is co-sponsored by the Kroger Co., Nabisco Foods Co. and K-92 (WXLK-FM) Radio.
Although no awards will be given for categories of kite flying, hundreds of prizes will be given to kite fliers who demonstrate special talents on the field or in the air.
A kite hospital will be available for younger children to construct and repair homemade kites.
The Red Cross Clown Corps will paint childrens' faces and help them make, repair or fly their kites.
"Louie the Lightning Bug," the official safety mascot of Appalachian Power Co. will tell kids about safe kite-flying.
To help celebrate March as American Red Cross Month, other exhibits and demonstrations at the festival include first aid and CPR, disaster services and radio communications, services to military families, youth services, blood collections, laboratory testing, health and safety programs, and volunteer opportunities.
Basic two-stick flat kite
Materials:
1 stick 30" long and 1/2 x ] in cross section
1 stick 36" long and 1/2 x ] in cross section
Paper or plastic 30" x 36"
String
Scissors
Glue
Markers
Strips of paper or plastic 2" wide and 6' long (newspaper or plastic trash bags and bamboo window shades provide cheap materials that can be used)
Directions:
Notch the end of each of the sticks. Place the cross stick (30" stick) horizontally across the 36" stick at a point 7" below the top of the larger stick. The cross stick should extend about 15 inches on each side of the longer stick. The cross stick should balance at the center point.
Glue and bind the two sticks together with a string lashing. This is the frame of the kite.
Run the guideline string around the perimeter of the kite frame. Beginning at the top of the cross, insert in the notches at the end of the sticks. Tie a small piece of string around the outside of each stick and after the framing string is in place.
Place the frame over the desired kite material and cut the material to the pattern, leaving an additional 3/4" margin.
Create a design on the material if desired.
Fold and glue the hems over the framing string. Trim the material around the notched ends so the sticks remain exposed at the tips.
Make the bridle by attaching a string to run the length of the cross stick leaving a slack of 6" and tie to each end of the cross stick.
Attach a string to run the length of the kite leaving a 6" slack. Tie it to the notched ends of the long stick.
Tie the two strings at the point of intersection to form a loop.
Attach the kite line at the point where the bridle strings cross and are tied together.
Attach strips of paper or plastic to form a tail at the bottom of the kite.
Picnic flier
Materials:
Paper plate
Two straws
Plastic foam cups
String
Markers
Directions:
Decorate the paper plate if you wish. Punch four holes in the plate. Thread the string through the holes and attach the straws with this string. Tie the string to secure the straws. Tie the four strings to create the bridle. Punch another hole and attach the tail and plastic foam cups.
Japanese fish kite
Tissue paper
Strip of tagboard (or a file folder) 1/2" wide and long enough to fit inside the mouth of the fish
Oil pastels, markers
Scissors
Glue
Hole puncher
String
Directions:
Use a large sheet of tissue paper and fold it in half. Draw a fish shape on the paper. Cut the fish shape out. Paste both sides together, leaving the mouth and tail unglued.
Decorate both sides using oil pastels or markers. (Crayons will tear the paper.)
Use a strip of tagboard (or old file folder) to rim the inside of the mouth.
Punch two holes in the mouth and attach lightweight kite string.
This information is taken from the American Red Cross, and the books "Dynamite Kites" and "The Complete Book of Kites and Kite Flying." -
by CNB