Flying Kites for Prizes 



Los Angeles stimulates an interest in kite 

 construction by holding an annual tournament 



"Charlie" takes a trip skyward. These kites, called boy kites, are awkward and longainly, but 

 they appeal to the youngsters. They are not nearly so difficult to make as might be supposed 



EACH year the boys of Los Angeles 

 gather on the Exposition Park 

 grounds and hold a kite tournament. 

 The events are scheduled for two o'clock 

 on a Saturday afternoon, but some of the 

 boys put in an appearance at nine o'clock 

 in the morning. By the time the tourna- 

 ment starts, contrary to 

 the old adage, the early 

 birds instead of winning 

 the prizes have no kites to 

 fly. They try out their 

 kites so many times dur- 

 ing the early hours that 

 the kites go to pieces. 



But the sky is fairly 

 bedecked with flying con- 

 traptions of all descrip- 

 tions. Big kites, boxes, 

 miniature editions, butter- 

 flies, birds, animals, fishes, 

 Charlie Chaplins, and 

 other kinds innumerable 

 make up the display. Each 

 year there is a greater 

 variety. The tournament has been an 

 annual event for nine years. There are 

 fewer large kites now than in former years, 

 largely due to the risk of breakage incurred 



in transporting them to the flying grounds. 

 However, some large ones still appear and 

 they never fail to call forth admiration. 



Miniature aeroplanes are giving way to 

 kites, which have a more fantastic appear- 

 ance; but the number of hot-air balloons 

 is decreasing. The temptation to ascertain 

 the effect of a nicely aimed 

 rock on a frail balloon is 

 too strong to be resisted. 

 Consequently the balloons 

 must be guarded against 

 attack. In the tourna- 

 ment held last year many 

 patriotic balloon and kite 

 designs appeared. Most 

 of these had some refer- 

 ence to peace. 



In preparing for a tour- 

 nament, an announcement 

 is sent to each school in 

 the city, giving the time 

 and place of meeting. The 

 classes and events are 

 scheduled so that the boys may know what 

 to plan for. I'sually suggestions accom- 

 pany the bulletins that are sent out from 

 time to time; A registration is held at 



vie with the 

 for popularity 



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