A Celebration Of The Kite
14 03 2009
On Saturday May 16, 2009 come celebrate one of China’s most famous inventions – The Kite. Approximately 2,800 years ago, the first kite was flown in Weifang, China (Shandong Province) by 5th century philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban. Over time, kites have been used for sport, military operations, scientific testing, and leisure. Weifang continues to recognize this invention by hosting an annual International Kite Festival.
For more information about the kite and it’s relevance to Chinese Culture, please see: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/kites.htm. In addition, there are several children’s books about Chinese kites that would be an excellent way to educate our kids about this topic before our celebration:
Kite Flying by Grace Lin (http://www.gracelin.com/content.php?page=book_kite)
Moonbeams, Dumplings, & Dragonboats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes (http://www.childbook.com/Moonbeams-Dumplings-Dragon-Boats-A-Treasury-o-p/e0261.htm)
In honor of the kite, Art and Lori Visser will be hosting a kite flying celebration at their home. The celebration will take place on Saturday May 16, 2009 from noon – ???. For directions to the Visser’s Home (located between Cedar Springs and Rockford, MI) please send them a private email at: one1horseranch@att.net. A tentative agenda for the celebration is as follows:
12:00 – 1:15 PM Lunch (Each family will be responsible for bringing their own place settings and drinks. Punch and condiments will be available, if desired. Additionally, each family is asked to bring a dish to pass. There will be a grill and/or fire available for cooking meat, which families need to supply for their own use).
1:15 PM – ??? Kite flying. The Vissers have several acres with few trees. Each family will be responsible for bringing their own kites.
To sign-up for this event, please click on the following link:
http://ccgggr.org/content/signup/kite-flying-and-potluck/
Hope to see you there – Dan Richter
