Redondo Beach Hosts 52nd Annual Kite Festival
The Redondo Beach Pier hosted its 52nd Annual Kite Festival on Sunday, drawing large crowds for the free, family-friendly event. Presented by the Redondo Pier Association, the long-standing local tradition featured competitions and demonstrations from experienced kite flyers.
With a history stretching back to 1975, the Redondo Beach Kite Festival stands as one of Southern California's longest-running kite festivals. The event is traditionally held on the second Sunday in March, coinciding with the start of daylight saving time. The festival features a range of kite competitions with categories including the best handmade kite, the highest-flying kite, and awards for the youngest and "youngest-at-heart" flyers. Past festivals have seen a variety of creative designs in the sky, from birds and eagles to princesses and space robots. In 2022, one participant flew a kite shaped like a character from the popular Chinese animated series "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf." Beyond the kite competitions, the event often includes other attractions. A recurring highlight is the hot-dog-on-a-stick eating contest. The festival also features live music, with the classic rock band "1969" being a frequent performer, along with martial arts demonstrations and dance performances. While specific attendance figures for the kite festival are not readily available, similar large-scale events in Redondo Beach have a significant economic impact, suggesting the festival is a notable contributor to the local economy. The annual event draws thousands of participants and spectators to the pier area.
