Kite Connoisseur Speaks On The Joy Of The Wind & Inspiring Others To Soar Through The Air
It's strange to use the expression “perfect storm” to describe the success of the Kite Museums' Kite Festival on Long Beach in Oregon, but Director Holli Friddle-Kemmer couldn't help it. The kite flying, fair atmosphere, vendors, drinks, live music and the beaches all come together to create one of the most successful tourist attractions in Pacific County. Around 100,000 people travel to Long Beach to witness a sea of color, kites from all over the world filling the sky.
The Kite Festival started back in 1981 and the success of the event brought about the Kite Museum in 1988, one of two museums dedicated to kites in the entire world. The museum is home to over 1,600 kites from countries all over the world, including miniature kites, three-dimensional kites, traditional Chinese kites and extreme sports kites.
While kites are often seen as toys or a hobby, Friddle-Kemmer said the importance of the Kite Museum is to memorialize the history of kiting and “how important it is. The normal person doesn't realize how important kiting has been.” For example, during World War II the Navy flew special kites off of ships so gunners could practice shooting planes out of the sky.
When people think of kite flying, relaxation and recreation come to mind. For many people, “kiting becomes an addiction,” noted Friddle-Kemmer, who said that the most interesting thing she learned about kites from working at the Kite Museum was how large and close knit the kiting community is.
“There are many kite festivals in the Pacific Northwest,” she said. “They all go from one to another, running the circuit. They really are a great group of people who are there to teach people. They'll help kids struggling to fly a kite at the beach. It is a true family community.”
Because of the large community, the Kite Museum has many members who support their efforts. One member is Long Beach resident Rae Bohn, who said he feels “amazed” every time he steps into the museum, from the large amount of information to the frequently changed displays. Like Friddle-Kemmer, Bohn said the museum is important to spread awareness of the thousands of years of kite flying history.
“The history of kiting is immense,” noted Bohn. “They catch fish in the Philippines with kites. One time a nine year old kid flew a kite across Niagara Falls, between Canada and the United States. He pulled it back and forth on a larger and larger line.”
While his passion at the moment is for quad line sport kiting, Bohn said he is involved in all aspects of kiting, including fighter kites, kite surfing and sports kites (“I'm frequently riding my buggy down the beach, steering with my feet as a very large kite pulls me up and down the shore.”) During the Kite Festival he flies large inflatables with other kite enthusiasts, captivating the audience with routines set to music.
The comradery of the kite flying community is what truly interests Bohn. But how does one get so passionate for kite flying in the first place? According to Bohn, “we all were” into kiting as a child, “then life happens and life goes on.” he moved away from kiting for many years.
“I happened to be over here in Long Beach for a Kite Festival 23 years ago,” he recalled. “There were so many different style kites in the air at the same time... It reignited that flame for me.”
While the Kite Festival is only for a week in August, the Kite Museum allows visitors to continue exploring the vast history of kiting and possibly even discover a new hobby or passion all year long. But be careful: “It's an addiction,” said Friddle-Kemmer. “Any kite flyer owns way more than one”.
Olivia Richman
A graduate of East Connecticut State University in Journalism, Olivia has written for Stonebridge Press & Antiques Marketplace among others. She enjoys writing, running and video games.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Andersen's On The Ocean RV Park, an Award Wining Private 5 acre waterfront property which is open year-round with a friendly, courteous and fun staff to help you.