Thousands of kite enthusiasts assembled on the grounds of the Washington Monument on Saturday, March 30, for the Blossom Kite Festival, an annual event that is a highlight of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.
Professionals and novices alike could show off their kite-flying skills through a variety of competitions and demonstrations. Children were kept busy at activity stations under the supervision of the National Park Service.
Nearby, at the Tidal Basin, the cherry blossoms, encouraged by the unseasonably warm weather that day, were approaching peak-bloom status.
View Jeff Malet’s photos from the Blossom Kite Festival by clicking on the photo icons below.
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Joseph (age 4) of Ellicott City Md. flies his kite on the grounds of the Washington Monument. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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(photo by Jeff Malet)
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Emma, age 9, of Washington D.C. flies her kite on the grounds of the Washington Monument. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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The Washington Nationals Racing Presidents make an appearance at the Blossom Kite Festival. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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(photo by Jeff Malet)
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Joyce Zhu of Shanghai, China, flies her kite on the grounds of the Washington Monument. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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(photo by Jeff Malet)
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Comoko (age 9) of North Bethesda Md. flies her kite on the grounds of the Washington Monument. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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Sayva (age 3) of Arlington Va. flies her kite on the grounds of the Washington Monument. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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(photo by Jeff Malet)
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Preston (age 5) and Rome (3) of Washington D.C. fly their kite on the grounds of the Washington Monument. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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Royce, age 7 from Reston Va. takes part in a racing competition while pulling a kite. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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Charles and Jack Goodman of Arlington Va. fly their kite on the grounds of the Washington Monument. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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(photo by Jeff Malet)
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Chuck Holmes of Spartanburg S.C. has designed, built and flown kites for over 40 years. Here with a kite he calls “Charlie Don’t Run.” (photo by Jeff Malet)
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(photo by Jeff Malet)
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(photo by Jeff Malet)
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(photo by Jeff Malet)
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Competing in the Blossom Build-off Competition are the team known as the Blossomers pose before the competition. In photo are Alexis Guzman, Victoria Born, Jorge Guzman, Tyler Guzman and Ketut. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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Billy Echevaria of the Bronx, N.Y. poses with banners he designed. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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Kite maker Ben Huggett of Philadelphia poses with last year’s award winning kite in the kite maker’s competition. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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The winning team in the Blossom Build-off Competition are the Watermelons. They are Chris Shwartz with Aaron, Ethan, Marjorie and Simon Duerke posing with Val Deale of Premiere Kites. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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(photo by Jeff Malet)
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Flying a ‘Revolution’ kite designed to be flown with four lines which allow the flier to move the kite in any direction, with control over the speed of the kite. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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Max, age 7 from Rockville Md. takes part in a racing competition while pulling a kite. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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Kevin Sewell of New York City flies a kite with the image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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(photo by Jeff Malet)
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Elani (age 7) and David (4) of Greenville N.C. have their kite repaired by volunteer Bharat. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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Jay of Reno Nevada takes his mermaid kite in to have it repaired at one of the free service booths. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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National Park Service Activity Booths. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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(photo by Jeff Malet)
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Brian Cruikshank and Lyndsay McKeever demonstrate “acroyoga”, a physical practice which combines yoga, acrobatics. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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Pooja Panigrahi and Lianyan Froozan demonstrate “acroyoga”, a physical practice which combines yoga, acrobatics. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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Pawan and his son Sayan (age 2) of Springfield Va. work together to fly a kite. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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The cherry blossoms are coming into full bloom along the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. on Saturday, March 30. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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National Park Service Ranger Kristel Nalson conducts the Pups ‘n’ Petals Dog Walk at the Japanese Pagoda. Don’t forget to bring your leash (required), waste bags and water. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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Artist Justin Pyles at the Tidal Basin on Saturday March 30. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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The cherry blossoms are coming into full bloom along the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. on Saturday, March 30 (photo by Jeff Malet).
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Que Wu, Grace and Emma are students from China studying in Durham N.C. – at the Tidal Basin on Saturday March 30. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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The cherry blossoms are coming into full bloom along the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. on Saturday, March 30. (photo by Jeff Malet)