9th Basingstoke Kite Festival

Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd June 2001

Location: Down Grange, Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Saturday began with clouds and showers, however there was a good breeze blowing and the rain had cleared up as we arrived just before 11am.

Even before we had left the M3 at junction 6, we spotted Veronica the octopus high in the sky above Basingstoke, glinting in the sunshine. What an advertisement for the kite festival!

The rain returned briefly after lunch, then much heavier an hour later. Both occasions left people scurrying for cover in the kite workshop / traders tents. Only Didier Ferment braved the rain the second time around, to fly one of his unique and unusual kites in the arena. Perhaps the weather had put a lot of people off attending, as the event did not seem as busy as in previous years.

The large alien-like Raymond kites proved popular with the public as they danced around. By careful timing of pulling on the line, they could be made to wiggle their legs in time to the music, to the amusement of children and adults alike.

The Aeolian Wind Garden and The Wind Gallery were present again this year, with even more unusual and interesting creations, including huge bows which vibrated loudly in the wind.

There were team flying displays throughout the day, as well as the mandatory Rokkaku fight! The teddy bear dropping was fun especially when the parachutes failed to open, the teddy would plummet to the ground, and would then be rescued by the "bear resuscitation team".

A Megateam fly finished off the day at 5pm.

Video Highlights

Running time: 56 seconds.

Read last year's Basingstoke Kite Festival review.