The Second Annual Indoor Kite Festival and AKA/NWSKL sanctioned kite event in Arlington Oregon… Second in the history of Arlington, Oregon, as far as anyone knows, Scheduled for Feb 11-12, 2006 should be a fun time for all. All the competitive fliers enjoyed a nice practice run in Long beach during MLK weekend in the presence of the Eastern league contingent. YES, we praise thee oh Quadzilla and the infamous BAND director who secretly knows how to have a great time… Psst, don’t tell his students about his secret life as an indoor kite flier.

Arlington’s gym greets all kite fliers and spectators with a heaving domed ceiling and a nice shiny refinished floor. YES, the custodians are freakishly protective of their hardwood… And rightly so, so bring your indoor shoes or some funky cool socks. When the finish was fresh, you could brush your hair in the reflection… Thus, miniskirts were banned from the gym floor for a couple months in the Fall.

The Community of Arlington welcomes the second coming of indoor kite fliers to Arlington. The Local motel has offered great rates for kite fliers, restaurants have planned special food and beverages (ESPRESSO… BOOO YAAA) in honor of the event, AND the mayor of Arlington has offered to repeat her service on the judging panel for Saturday’s competition. Weather permitting; it should be a great weekend. FYI.. Watch your speed 15 miles out of Arlington, the county AND state police patrol that section of road… Right Steve?

Friday night will start the festivities off with a kite demo by award winning kite flier, John Barresi during half time of the home basketball games. These games will be broadcast LIVE on the local TV station: HONKERVISION. Depending on the availability of crew… Saturday’s competitions may be broadcast as well. Registered fliers are fed lunch and dinner on Saturday sponsored by the Arlington Booster club and The Arlington Middle School 8th grade. Concessions will be available in the shop from the Junior Class at Arlington High School.

Saturday is busy with demos, indoor ballet, and a new event… MYSTERY BALLET. Where the fliers will show their improvisational skills flying indoors to music which they have not practiced and choreographed a routine.

So far, sponsors of the event are Columbia River Kites, New Tech Kites, Revolution Kites, AKA, NWSKL, Arlington High School, Arlington Booster Club, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Village Inn Motel, Pheasant Grill, as well as many contributors to the “bag raffle” benefiting the Arlington Booster Club and the World Kite museum.

Come on “up the River” and see what a small town half-way between somewhere… Go east of Portland about 2 hours and drive up the Hill at Arlington. If you get lost… Just stop at the gas station or the hardware/liquor store and they will point you in the right direction. Email hailragnar@honkernet.net or see the official web site for more festival INFO.