THE KITE FESTIVAL IN 2012 WILL BE SUNDAY 11th MARCH.

The eighth kite festival at Rosebud will be held beside the pier at Jetty Road, on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th March and the skies of Rosebud will once again be alive with a myriad of colourful kites.

Kite flying originated in China, over 2500 years ago, using silk fabric and bamboo framework. Over the years the design and technology of kites has evolved and manufacturers now use a variety of materials, styles and shapes. From flat shapes, 3 dimensional forms, rotating wind socks to modern, massive inflatable designs. The festival at Rosebud will display many of these new style kites, while encouraging children to learn the art and skill of kite flying.

This year will bring back to Rosebud Robert Brassington from Ground Zero Kites Tasmania, displaying his amazing signature Cathedral Window deltas, Craig Hansen from New Zealand flying some of the world’s largest inflatable kites made in the Peter Lynn kite factory in New Zealand and also new comer to Rosebud, Perrin Melchior, also from New Zealand, who makes and flies the sophisticated Alexander Bells Tetrahedral kites, which are very challenging to make and fly. Together with the demonstration flying from members of the Victorian Kite Association, including a World Champion Flyer, spectators are in for a real treat.

This year the Saturday session has been introduced to allow kite enthusiasts to get up close to the experts, when they can see them between 10am and 1pm on the foreshore, and get close to both the kites and the flyers.

Sunday is the main festival with activities starting at 11am and going through to 5pm.

There will be workshops for kite making, craft, dance and circus skills, kiddies carnival rides and a chance to meet Jimmy Giggle from Giggle and Hoot (although Hoot will not be attending as he will be having an Owl Nap so he is ready for the Night Watch).

There will be a spectacular aero display by one of the RAAF Roulettes Aerobatic team during the afternoon.

Roving clowns, musicians and characters such as Tubby The Robot, will keep the entire family entertained, while on stage there will be a range of musical performances including Memphis Blues, The Vincents (Rock N Roll), Salsa Dance Band and The Swifts. Dancing space has been provided!

Organised by Rosebud Chamber of Commerce the following sponsors make it all possible: Mornington Peninsula Shire, The Lamattina Group, The Nine Network, Rye and Dromana Bendigo Bank, The Leader Community Newspapers, Rosebud Plaza, Tourism Victoria, Peninsula Cinemas, McCrae Lions, The Rotary Club of Rosebud & Rye and Visitor Publications. Once again the Charity Partner is Red Kite, an organisation that provides practical services to families of children going through cancer treatment and the fundraising for this charity is being organised by Rosebud Plaza in the weeks leading up to the event.

For further information please call Alison Doherty 0403 889 559.