The skies above Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach, California, transformed into a canvas of color on Sunday as hundreds of participants convened for the 13th annual Long Beach Kite Festival. The event, which ran from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., showcased a diverse array of kites, from whimsical designs like a giant octopus and a witch on a broomstick to a black and green spider and a rocketship.
Organized by the Pacific Kite Club of California, the free festival honors Shakrain, the Bangladeshi Festival of Kites. Beyond kite flying, the event fostered community engagement with food, live entertainment, games, and art contests. Organizers distributed 500 free kites and 300 free backpacks to children and families on a first-come, first-served basis.
Longtime attendee Greg Morrison, who was present with his wife, noted that this was their second year at the Long Beach festival. "The wife and I try to go to as many Kite festivals as possible," Morrison stated. Jimmy Westby, another participant, displayed a homemade BLM kite, sharing his enthusiasm for attending kite festivals across California, from Long Beach as far north as Morrow Bay.
The Pacific Kite Club, a local nonprofit, was established by ocean lovers and community organizers with the aim of uniting people through kite flying and promoting environmental stewardship. In addition to hosting kite festivals, the organization conducts year-round beach cleanups, donation drives, and outreach programs to strengthen community bonds.
The festival also featured live Bangladeshi music and cultural dance performances, alongside offerings from local vendors.