Discovering the thrills of kite flying at the Rogallo Kite Festival in North Carolina's Outer Banks

The Rogallo Kite Festival was a new experience for us. One that has created a yearning to attend more. Kites ranging from 30-100 ft in length hovered above us like superheroes. It was fascinating!

A few years ago I wrote a blog post about my history with kites. I'd never flown one until becoming a parent and that was thanks to my children's father. I also have no memory of anyone else flying kites throughout my childhood. I'm grateful for the exposure that brought the activity back to mind.

While we're thinking in terms of origins and history, let's dive a little into kite flying beginnings. There doesn't seem to be a definitive answer as to exactly where the sport originated, but China and India repeatedly appeared during my search.

In China, kites are believed to have been created between 475 BCE & 221 BCE. The firsts were bird-shaped and made from wood. Over the years, bamboo, silk, and other materials were used to create less heavier ones.

Kites eventually became useful in China's military forces. They were used to record wind readings and to help armies cross challenging landscapes by measuring distance. There are spiritual beliefs and symbolism around kite flying that found its way into religious ceremonies. Past and present.

I've listed a few sites you may find useful if you'd like to dig further into kite flying history:

As for the origin of the Rogallo Festival, my curiosity pushed me to question an attendee I'd met shortly after arrival. I just so happened to ask one of the founders! Val Deale gave me a thorough explanation and some history about the life of Francis Rogallo, a NASA scientist and flexible wing inventor. The sport of hang gliding was created due to this invention and has extended into other activities as well.

The icing on the cake was getting a look at two vintage kites created by Mr. Rogallo himself and witnessing one of them fly!

This event is always free to attend as well as participation in the activities. My youngest created a kite of her own at one of the stations. We each also received kite flying lessons from the pros! My attempt at stunt flying wasn't very impressive but I consider it a fail forward. I did something new with my daughters and felt like a kid again. That's a win-win!

One of those highly recommended is the Kites with Lights festival, at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. It will be held on Saturday, Nov. 25 from 4 –7 p.m.