Date:	Sat, 19 Aug 1995 14:38:36 -1000
From:	dgomberg@ednet1.osl.or.gov (David Gomberg)
Message-Id: <41606c$32l@ednet1.osl.or.gov>
Organization: Eastern Oregon State College
Subject: Epcot Update


I have been getting some questions about the kite event being 
hosted by Walt Disney World at Orlando's Epcot Center, 
September 9-24.

The scope and budget of the "World Festival of Kites" clearly 
rank it as one of the most significant kite gatherings in North 
America. Although the public will not be invited to actually bring 
and fly their own kites, there will be plenty to see and do.

Here are some examples:

LIVE PRESENTATIONS - Epcot's World Showcase contains 
11 national pavilions. We will have guest presenters and workshops
 in each one. Mikio Toki, Satoshi Hashimoto, and Kenichi Mizutai 
will demonstrate Japanese kite painting and construction. Gerard 
Clement will bring several full-size historical reproductions from Paris. 
Jon and Gill Bloom from the Kite Society will discuss English kite 
innovators. Robert Trepanier from Montreal will paint kites in the 
Canadian  pavilion.

Charlie Sotich will be making miniature kites. Randy Tom will 
show his applique techniques. Meg Albers will discuss American 
Kite History. And Wayne Hosking will offer lecture on flight and 
kite theory for youngsters. 

The AKA will staff and information booth, and we will also have 
ongoing kite workshops every day.

FLYING - Kites will be flown all day on the Epcot lagoon behind 
power boats and seadoos. Disney is also providing a kite platform in 
the lagoon center for large kites. Our "arsenal" includes a flock of 
252 Flowforms, several Peter Lynn Trilobites, and ten trains of 
Japanese eddys featuring over 1000 kites. We will also fly 
choreographed sport kites to music over the water.

Throughout the park, people like Dave Britain, Curtis Mitchel, 
and Mark Rickets will be demonstrating sidewalk and indoor flying.

EXHIBITS - The entire theme park will be filled with kite displays 
and specialized exhibits. We will have antique kites, including an 
original  Bell tetrad and the entire Garber Collection. We will have 
a series of large Japanese rokkakus, and we will have several 
exhibitions from the Drachen Design Foundation which feature 
kites by the best known contemporary kite artists in the world.

If you would like to loan one of your own kites, contact Mike 
Simmons at skywardmfg@aol.com.

WORLD RECORDS - Peter Lynn will unveil the new largest 
kite in the world. We will also feature the smallest kite in the world. 
Both flights will be submitted to Guinness.

Bruce Flora of Kiteman Productions is Directing the Festival. 
I am helping with organization and managing Showcase presentations 
and workshops. Bob Bono coordinates stunt kites; Mike Simmons, 
large kites; Pete Foy, lagoon traffic, Dean Jordan, sidewalk and indoor 
flying; and CJ Grace Operations.

All of us are excited about the project and hope it will not only be 
a good show, but also a significant boost to the visibility of kiting as 
a sport and hobby.


More information is available at 407-WDW-NEWS (939-6397)

-- 
David Gomberg                             phone 503-996-3083
Box 113, Neotsu Oregon 97364 USA          fax   503-994-9692


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