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Today, as a spectator, I took part in one of Austin's annual rights of the coming of spring; 
A number of years ago when I was building furniture, I had access to all sorts of tools, materials and a wonderful facility where I could build just about anything that I could possibly dream up. One year I got a wild hair (the day before the contest) and decided to assemble an entry in the biggest kite category. I had a design in mind for a huge octagon shaped kite covered with 12mil plastic. Pestering my friend and partner, Tom Wood (cool name for an architect/furniture builder) into helping me, we set about designing and putting the monster together from scratch. Most of the day was spent gathering materials and the evening was devoted to constructing the framework from wood and pvc pipe and covering the structure with the plastic skin that we had painstakingly melded together. Of course, like all last minute ideas and projects, there were many things that had to be "rigged" and adjusted so the work went on well into the early morning hours. The ENTIRE time, my friend kept telling me, "It will never fly". I just ignored him because after all, I still needed his help. 
Around 3:00am, we finished the kite, my friend went home and I decided to paint my creation. Digging through a closet of spray cans, I began splashing and spraying the kite with all manner of colors, symbols and primitive designs that would have made a DADA-Anarchist proud! The longer I worked, the more bizarre it became and by 8:00am I had done all the damage I figured possible and crashed for a nap in my office!
What is important to remember is that it is crucial for everyone to release the line simultaneously so the kite can catch the wind and propel into the sky! As we were running along the kite gained altitude and I shouted for everyone to LET GO OF THE LINE! Everyone complied with the exception of, you guessed it...Tom, "Mister IT won't Fly"! Unfortunately, his position on the line was closest to the kite so he neither saw nor heard (or maybe ignored) everyone as they released the line. As the wind caught the kite, it began to pull up and twist violently pulling Tom up and down. We were all screaming at him to let go as the kite began to wildly careen up and around but he still held on. At that point the kite shot straight up and then plummeted into the earth, shattering the frame and collapsing in a huge pile of broken wooden limbs, pvc pipe and plastic shreds! All of us began yelling at Tom but he was completely nonplussed and said, "See, I told you it would not fly!" I don't know who said it first but one of our friends shouted, "DOGPILE" and we all jumped on Tom as the crowd watched in amusement breaking into applause, jeers, laughter!
That was many years ago and though I have taken my wife and children to this event many times over the years, I have yet to enter again but always enjoy the show. But you never know, maybe I will give Tom a call and see if he wants to try again...NEXT YEAR! It's still a great time for people of all ages and well worth the trip even as a spectator. I guess my favorite part is watching the thousands of adults and children running around trying to fly hundreds of kites all at the same time. It's anarchy and of course there are all sorts of mishaps, crossed lines and crashing kites along with the infamous kite eating trees mentioned so often by Charlie Brown! These days, the larger kites have taken a different tact and are now made from colorful parachute material that allows the design of all sorts of intresting creatures.The mood is always festive and there is something about taking it easy and watching hundreds of kites flying in the air that is so pleasant and relaxing and just plain fun. It's another of Austin's wonderfully simple pleasures that can be enjoyed by everyone for FREE. So...as long as there is wind, GO FLY A KITE! 
Hi Russell 
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My first thought is "poor Tom"! That would be me. Everyone shouting out helpful information and me not hearing them!! My second thought is that I wish I had been there because I would have been on the ground laughing my head off! Sounds like a great event!