Up Up & Away

It is impossible to be bored in Austin. On any given weekend there is either a festival, an athletic event, a movie or music in one of the various parks or all of the above.

This weekend was the Kite Festival - one of the longest continuosly running kite festivals in the US it turns out. 9 years in Austin and for some reason I hadn't been, but it was a gorgeous weekend and I was free, so was the event ( a big plus since I am unemployed) , so off I went.

I decided against taking the shuttle service because I wanted to go up South Congress after the festival and parked in my "super secret spot" aka the road next to Run Tex by the South First bridge - it's really no secret since anyone going to Auditorium Shores parks there, but it's super because I can always find a spot, it's free and it's a great location that doesn't require a long hike to get where you are going.

The news reported that it didn't really fill up til noon but when I arrived a bit before 11 there were at least a thousand gathered, by my estimation, already there. Families with kites, without kites, with dogs, with picnic baskets - everywhere. And there were kites of all shapes and sizes. An enormous blue teddy bear and giant panda, dragons, sponge bobs, with tails, with spinners, red ones, blues ones, fish ones. Kites flown by kids, adults, teams and several professionals.

And there was food - of course. What I love about Austin are the food trailers. You get the typical festival food - corn dogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy and bbq - but then you get the distinctly Austin food stuffs. Peached Tortilla's fusion tacos, Kebabalicious Turkish wraps - for which I waited in line 45 minutes for my lamb schwarma with tzatziki - and cupcakes by Hey Cupcake.

I picked my spot near the roped off judging area, though I was still too far off to hear or see most of the competition, I still had a great view of most of the kites. Blanket laid out, food in hand, and a book , I enjoyed 4 hours of a gorgeous, tech free afternoon.

And the people kept coming. My area started to thin out around 2ish but as I walked out of the park there were still crowds making their way in. It never felt over crowded ,however, and no one ( to the best of my knowledge) got in a fight or was injured. Both kids and dogs pretty much roamed free and I didn't get stepped on once. Though a kite did make a free fall on my butt. 

I left with a slight sunburn, a sunny disposition and a bag filled my blanket and booty - yup booty. There always seem to be organizations handing out free stuff at these events. I scored free yogurt, a frisbee, bandaids in a mini dispenser, a small hand held fan, soy joy bars and a small handful of mini candy bars.

Good day, good haul - mission accomplished!