Here we go, folks! The defacto start of the kiting season! The Smithsonian Kite Festival is this Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00! (raindate Sunday)
http://kitefestival.org/ Folks, this is a biggie for us. As the local club, WOW is relied on heavily to volunteer and provide support. Please please please pull your gear out, check it over, pull your shoes on and come on down to help us out! We will need help with set up, flying and interacting with the crowd all day, and ultimately with tear down, too.
While I have heard nothing solid or official, we are operating under the assumption that the tidal basin parking lot will be closed again this year. Also, I haven't seen anything regarding street closures or other events beyond the Cherry Blossom Festival, HOWEVER, there is a Walk for Epilepsy on Saturday and I wouldn't be surprised if there is another event(s) also, and there will in all likelihood be street closures on Saturday, necessitating early arrival, unloading, and parking for those of you who will be driving. If I get information confirming or denying that, I will get it out right away. If anyone has information about Saturday parking or road closures, please get it to me so I can broadcast it.
The 2009 Walk for Epilepsy is on Saturday, scheduled to begin at 8:45. I don't know yet about street closures for this event, but there presumably will be some. I've only seen sketchy info about the route. All I know at this point is: The start line is located at 4th Street and Madison Drive on the National Mall. The route is slightly more than two miles and winds throughout the scenic area surrounding the National Mall.
Note also that there is a "Scope It Out 5K" run on Sunday beginning at 9:00 AM. The advertised location for this is Pennsylvania Ave between 12th and 14th Streets. Not clear if there will be other street closings for that, but IF we are postponed to Sunday, this may affect us.
Word is that with the amount of planning, advertising, and outlay for this event, it is HIGHLY UNLIKELY it will be postponed. Expect the event to go off as scheduled on Saturday, despite the weather. (see you there, rain or shine!)
Not speaking for other club members, I plan to be there NLT 6:00 AM to begin setting up. We'll be setting up our own camp and ground display, and pitching in to help rope off the fields and to help with other general set-up tasks.
Please come out and lend a hand; we surely could use it. Every little bit helps!
Come on out and help us show off that WOW spirit!
Oh, and if you're competing in any of the competitions...good luck!
Jeff
