Kites of the world fly Bintulu skies

Annual kite festival attracts 74 participants from 20 countries

BINTULU: Hundreds of kites soared over the Old Airport ground yesterday and will continue everyday until August 26.

The annual kite festival is back again and this is its third year.

Theme ‘Asean Kite and Plus China’ it is organised by Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) supported by the Resident’s Office, District Office, Sarawak Kite Association (Pewasa) and the Malaysian Kite Council.

There are 74 participants from 20 countries such as Japan (10), New Zealand (two), Australia (two), China (10), Taiwan (three), Indonesia (10), Singapore (four), Brunei (four), Thailand (10), Myanmar (two), France (two), Cambodia (two), Italy (one), Philippine (two), Korea (two), Germany (two), England (two), USA (two), Holland (one) and Vietnam (two).

These participants are expected to register today at the Regency Plaza Hotel followed by briefings for all judges and the national participants.

In the national kite competition category there are 102 participants from 11 states in Malaysia will take part.

They are 24 participants from Sarawak (six), Johor (eight), Melaka (three), Perlis (four) and Penang (three).

Yesterday, people were able to watch some kite-flying demonstrations by groups from Pewasa and several unique and giant kites from New Zealand.

The most attractive giant kites were the ‘Octopus’, ‘Stingray’ and ‘Stinger’ belonging to a BDA group. The kites came in all sorts of designs, colours and sizes.

Also put up during the festival period are a trade expo where private companies sell and display their products from sign-crafts, furniture, clothing, and tools to electrical appliances.

Drink and food stalls are also available.

There will also be a karaoke competition, live band show featuring local artistes, and cultural dances from during the nine-day festival which starts from 10am until late evening each day.

There are also stalls where people can buy kits as cheap as RM10 and as much as RM500 each.

Published by:
The Borneo Post
19 August 2007