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2016 Lincoln Balloon Fest
LINCOLN DAILY NEWS
August 30, 2016
D
ave has been flying kites for 24 years.
While a few of the kites that are
presented are custom made, most
are factory produced. He explained that there
are different kites made for different winds,
even special kites for no wind. When a person
walks backwards there is a wind of 2 miles per
hour that is created and that is enough to fly
kites.
Mike disclosed that because the kites exhibited
are so big, a special kind of knot is used, a
larks head knot. A larks head knot tightens
100% when the kite is in the air. A good knot
is necessary to help control the kite.
It is illegal to fly anything over 500 feet or
within 5 miles of an airport. The Balloon Fest
committee has to apply for an official kite-
flying waiver through the FAA to fly a kite
under 150 feet near the airport. Because of
FAA rules, the group brought medium size
kites this year. Mike is hoping that next year
they will be able to bring the giant kites.
Chris has been flying kites for 20 years and
was working on Saturday with a kite with 75
foot tail. He was putting a spinner on the end
of the tail so he could orchestrate the kite to
do more tricks like figure eights and tornados.
He expounded that the longer the tail the
more tricks a kite master is able to perform.
The bigger kites need quad lines for more
control. Chris is always glad when there is
good wind for kite flying saying, “There is
never too much wind.”
The Chicago Kite aficionados are a great
addition to the Lincoln Balloon Festival. If
you missed them this year, be sure to take
time to check them out next year. It’s a great
outdoor activity that is fun for the whole
family!
Chicago Kite located at 5445 N. Harlem,
Chicago IL 60656. More information about
Chicago Kites can be found on the website
www.chicago
kite.com.
kites load
Lincoln Balloon
Festival with
more fun
By Lisa Ramlow
By Lisa Ramlow