There’s something of an art to kite-making. Each kite has to have a balance of materials — not too heavy, or the kite will never fly, not too light, or it will fly right out of your hands.
Visitors to the Resaca de la Palma State Park Saturday learned firsthand how to make their kites soar with a return of the park’s 3rd annual Color the Sky kite-making workshop. With two sessions from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., the event was free with general admission or for children ages 0 to 12.
Led by the park’s interns Gracie Lugo and Sofia Garza, the workshop provided all the materials park visitors needed—from a cross spar and spine of popsicle sticks and twine to paper kite templates and streamer tails. Then once the kite is ready to fly, Lugo and Garza, along with volunteer Sandra Ramirez—demonstrated the correct way to run with your kite to catch enough lift for it to soar.
The three worked together to help make all the materials for the workshop, with Ramirez spooling the kite lines while Lugo and Garcia cut out and constructed each of the kite templates, framework and tails.
“We were able to throw everything together to keep the tradition going and color the sky. This is our third year, so just being able to have people out here and engaging in nature is really good,” Garza said.
Hosted each year on the 4th of July weekend, Park Superintendent Kelly Malkowski says the event started as a way to celebrate the holiday in the park with visitors while keeping safety in mind.
“Fireworks are really scary for a lot of wildlife and potentially hazardous to some of our pollinators. Additionally, with much of Texas in drought conditions, this is a very safe way to do something colorful—with literally no risk,” she said.
Plus, since each kite uses biodegradable materials, even if an enterprising tree decides to eat one, a few rain events will cause the kite to break down.
Jose and Cindy Gonzalez drove down from Edinburg with their two sons Michael, 5, and Valentin,11, to enjoy the park together.
Jose saw the event online and thought it would be a good opportunity to indulge his own love of hiking and visiting parks with a fun activity for their two children.
“It’s a trip, but it’s worth it,” he said.
