Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 14:53:40 -1000 From: dquad@aol.com (DQuad) Message-Id: <447iuk$sc5@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Epcot World Kite Festival Blink, blink.......... Just got back from the Epcot World Festival of kites today. What an intense time and place. I was one of the indoor/Promenade fliers that were featured throughout the park. Me, Jeff Burka, Curtiss Mitchell, Manuel Mercado, Mark Ricketts, David Brittain, Time Elverston, Alex Mason, Darrin Skinner and dean jordan(Coordinator) made up the team of fliers. We flew in several different locations - American Adventure Rotunda, Promenade in the Japanese site, and in front of the fountains near Spaceship Earth. Man were these places really tough to fly in. Not only was there no wind, no unobstructed wind direction, and oppresive heat and humidity, but masses of people moving through, around and over you as you flew. The indoor/promenade fliers were not the only kite fliers there by far. You had a massive attack from the Lagoon crew that kept trains, PL Octupus, Flowforms, Mike Simmons' Needle, Revs, Flexi's, and anything else that would withstand the punishment. All of these kites and pilots were being towed from either the backs of Seadoos(jetskis), or flying in tandem from the back of ski boats. This action was non- stop from 10:30 until 5:00 when the Epcot people started setting up for the laser and fireworks show. Set a record (of sorts) for towing the PL Octupus for well over an hour in the lagoon. This may not sound like a long time, but factoring in the islands in the lagoon, other boats, and shifty winds make this feat a real milestone. Peter Lynn and Phillip McConnachie both held court in one of the outer parking lotes with the Megabite(Trilobite on steroids), smaller 'bites, and more creatures. Most of the airtime achieved by these kites was by towing them with several trucks. This was insane also because of light poles, monorail, and errant tourists. Even a few buggies appeared across the landscape when time permitted. The Megabite was incredible. So BIG you could fly inside while it was sitting on the ground. Even got to fly in there myself, but didn't make the front page like D. Brittain. Flew Rev I's and II's inside. Many kite makers and presenters were on the promenade as well. Randy Tom, Wayne Hosking, Anne Rock :-} , Mikio Tikio, Robert Treppanier, Jon and Gill Bloom, Michael Gressier, Ken Conrad, Tom Casselman. Tell me if I missed anybody.... Got to fly Randy Tom's Disney character Arch(~44 panels @ 3 feet) in the Japanese exhibit. Crucial!! While it was in flight over the walkway, the shuttle bus for the park drove under the thing twice. Quite the sight. Ther was also an exhibit in the American Adventure building with historic kite artifacts and presentations from Meg Albers. Got to fly off a seadoo with my Rev and Pro. Man what a rush. Easy, but way hard. AKA also had a promotional booth that went over really well. Well, off to Tulsa. Will do some reports from there as we will have our laptop. later..............dave arnold = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 26 Sep 1995 06:01:41 -1000 From: ajs@stairs.nw.att.com (Alan Sparling) Message-Id: Organization: AT&T Enhanced 9-1-1 Development Subject: Re: Epcot World Kite Festival In article <447iuk$sc5@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, dquad@aol.com (DQuad) writes: |> |> Just got back from the Epcot World Festival of kites today. What an |> intense time and place. |> Many kite makers and presenters were on the promenade as well. |> Randy Tom, Wayne Hosking, Anne Rock :-} , Mikio Tikio, Robert Treppanier, |> Jon and Gill Bloom, Michael Gressier, Ken Conrad, Tom Casselman. Tell me |> if I missed anybody.... I understand that Charlie Sotich was making miniatures there as well. I don't remember which pavilion he said he was in. ------------ Alan Sparling Naperville, IL USA ajs@stairs.nw.att.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 26 Sep 1995 18:09:40 -1000 From: jburka@Glue.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) Message-Id: <44aiq4$ogj@geog25.umd.edu> Organization: Project Glue, University of Maryland, College Park Subject: Re: Epcot World Kite Festival In article , Alan Sparling wrote: > >In article <447iuk$sc5@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, dquad@aol.com (DQuad) writes: >|> >|> Just got back from the Epcot World Festival of kites today. What an >|> intense time and place. > >|> Many kite makers and presenters were on the promenade as well. >|> Randy Tom, Wayne Hosking, Anne Rock :-} , Mikio Tikio, Robert Treppanier, >|> Jon and Gill Bloom, Michael Gressier, Ken Conrad, Tom Casselman. Tell me >|> if I missed anybody.... > >I understand that Charlie Sotich was making miniatures there as well. >I don't remember which pavilion he said he was in. Yup, Charlie was there, hanging out in Italy and flying tiny kites. One day I was taking a break and listened to a school teacher talking to Charlie, fascinated with his kites. She was planning to have her students make kites during a science unit, and it had never occurred to her that the kids could make little kites and fly them in the classroom. She left, all excited to give it a try herself... Jeff -- |Jeffrey C. Burka | Pithy, insightful quote to be inserted when one | |jburka@glue.umd.edu | occurs to me. *If* one occurs to me. | |http://www.wam.umd.edu/~jeffy/html/home.html | = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =