Flights of Fancy

It’s going to be a busy day in the air over Simi Valley on Sunday when the Cal Oaks Kite Classic takes to the sky above the Ronald Reagan Library. This free event begins at high noon, and the first thousand kids will receive free kites.

No one knows for sure, but kites are thought to have been around for at least 2,000 years. They probably originated in China, where the first known references were made to the flying contrivances. In some cultures, kites were thought to be gifts from God, which resulted in kite designs representing birds, animals, insects and dragons.

With the use of paper rather than silk, kite-making became a popular hobby, and many believed flying a kite could keep evil spirits at bay. During the Sung Dynasty, there was actually a day during which one could avoid a year’s bad luck by flying a kite, the theory being the kite could rise to the spirit world and carry away the troubled fate otherwise in store for the earthbound mortal.

In Japan, the art of making paper kites remained a hobby for only the privileged classes for several centuries. The Japanese flew the first wan-wan kite in 1692, which took 200 men to control since the kite had a diameter of more than 70 feet. In Thailand, King Vajiravudh proclaimed kiting the national sport in 1921.

The first appearance of kites in Europe was in the 13th century, introduced by Marco Polo. For centuries, kites were regarded as children’s toys, but in the 18th century they were discovered to have scientific value. Alexander Wilson used a train of kites to explore temperature ranges at various altitudes. The most famous American kite flier was Benjamin Franklin, who used a kite to demonstrate the existence of electricity in thunderstorms.

Later, Lawrence Hargrave invented the box kite while trying to invent a flying machine. The Wright brothers used kite technology to create a steering system to control their aircraft.

Kites have gained popularity in the last few decades, thanks in part to advances in design and techniques due to the use of synthetic materials. They’ve also become somewhat of an art form. To that end, according to event spokeswoman Olga Badilla, “We’re trying to make it bigger this year by inviting a couple of different groups.”

Highlights of the event will include Chinese kite-making, kite decorating, kite sales and demonstrations by Dan Rubesh of Ventura, the Wind Wizard himself.

“It’s a good place to fly big single-line kites,” Rubesh said. “I’m just going to get a bunch of my buddies and go fly a kite for the day. We’re looking at up to 50 kites.”

Explaining his nickname, Rubesh said, “A guy I used to work with--I’m a machinist--used to call me ‘The Wizard,’ and when I got into the kite business, I naturally became ‘The Wind Wizard.’ Now, I sell kites mostly over the Internet.”

There will be more than kites flying around in the sky. Professional skydivers will show viewers their precision skills; and the Confederate Air Force, seemingly busy every weekend, will do a flyover with, among others, an F-8F Bearcat, a YAK Russian fighter and a T-28 Warbird, all of World War II vintage.

On a smaller scale, the Experimental Air Force will fly model airplanes, and the public can meet the crew of the Ventura County sheriff’s Aviation Unit’s extremely noisy search and rescue helicopter, which will be parked on the ground. Also on hand will be a Ben Franklin impersonator, a historian with stories to tell.

All that is free, but a private reception and barbecue lunch will be held at the Pear Tree Terrace, where each person attending will receive a Kite Classic poster. The cost of this event is $20 per person, children under 12 free. Country band Caught Red Handed will provide the soundtrack.

All proceeds from the day’s activities will benefit the Ronald Reagan Foundation’s Learning Center, whose purpose is to teach schoolchildren about leadership, character and the dignity of the highest office in the land.

And on a mountaintop, it should be an excellent day to go fly a kite.

DETAILS

Cal Oaks Kite Classic at the Ronald Reagan Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.; free; 522-2977.

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Bill Locey can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].