The 80th Annual Zilker Park Kite Festival

Few events in Austin can make you feel like a kid again. Sure, there are some that make you scream at the top of your lungs (see: UT Football) or others that might make you dance uncontrollably (see: Eeyore's Birthday), but the first Sunday in March for the last 80 years has had Austin adults and children alike remembering what it was like to just sit back, relax and fly a kite.

This year's Zilker Kite Festival, like all the years before it, will take over the Austin skyline with literally thousands of homemade and professional kites flown by children of all ages and adults of all skill levels who appreciate the simpler things in life. The festival is true representation of Austin heritage, and, with over 20,000 people estimated to attend, has sealed its position as the oldest and most popular continuously-held kite festival in the nation.

And as the festival grows, so does its mission.

"We continue to promote creativity, but the fundraising aspect of the event has grown to enable us to support our children in many ways, including supporting local organizations working towards the prevention of child abuse and providing the hope of attending college through scholarship given to high school seniors typically overlooked because they have had exceptionally difficult challenges in their young lives," said festival chief coordinator Bunnie Twidwell. "Through the Zilker Park Kite Festival, the Exchange Club of Austin can stretch each donated dollar to seven or more dollars to help children in our community. By folks flying kites on a spring afternoon in the park, kids can get the help and support they need."