The Academy-award-winning movie, “Kite Runner” may have bought kite-flying competitions to the attention of the American public, but they have been a popular international festival for centuries. On March 23, 2013, the skies above Fountain Hills will be a photographer’s delight as hundreds of colorful hand-made kites take flight during the Besant Mela kite flying festival.
Kites will converge at Fountain Park in Celebration of Basant Mela
Basant is a seasonal festival celebrated at the end of winter to welcome spring. “Kite flying” is the major and most colorful event of this festival. The sky is covered with colorful kites that are of medium size normally from 1 foot to 4 feet in diameter; kites are usually made of paper and made especially for this purpose. Kites are of different shapes and sizes and are tied with specially made thread called “Doore.”Henna tattoos of all types and styles will be available as well, or if you are not looking for a “walk on the wild side,” authentic middle-eastern jewelry vendors will present an array of sparking treasures.
“Yellow” is the color of the festival and is visible everywhere i.e. from kites to clothes. Basant is not only a kite flying event, it’s a cultural festival for the entire family.
Henna artitsts and other Pakistani art will be at the Festival.
Where: Fountain Park, Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268 (Shea Blvd to traffic light at Saguaro Blvd; 2 miles North to Fountain Park. Free parking on Avenue of the Fountains and large lot northwest of Fountain Park.) The park is handicapped accessible, and restrooms are near the children’s playground.
When: Saturday, March 23, 2013; 11-6 p.m.
Event Sponsor: Pakistan Information & Cultural Organization (PICO) www.pakistaninformation.org
Omar Hameed 480-586-1840
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