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Date: March 11, 2009
SAN JUANNATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
News Release
National Park Service- Fifth Annual Kite Festival
Walter J. Chavez, Superintendent, San Juan National Historic Site, announced the 5th annual San Juan National Historic Site Kite Festival to be held on Friday March 20th, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday March 21st 10 am to 4 pm. The festival is traditionally held on the grounds of Castillo San Felipe del Morro and is open to the public free of charge. “We are very pleased to hold this event for a 5th consecutive year and to have expanded it to two days. The additional day will allow us to work directly with the Lincoln School in Old San Juan, whom we have adopted, for promoting the park educational programs” said Superintendent Chavez. The Kite Festival provides an excellent opportunity for our visitors to participate in contests, educational talks, and of course kite flying, while educating them about the environmental issues relating to kite flying and maintaining the grounds of El Morro.
Every year half a million people use the grounds of El Morro for picnics, sports and other activities. The National Park Service mission of preservation is challenged by damaging behavior of leaving literally tons of abandoned kites and food leftovers littering the historic grounds and walls. Through this event the National Park Service hopes to share and promote environmentally friendly ways to enjoy the park.
The festival will include activities such as a kite flying competition, educational talks, and a kite making class. Members of the non-profit organization, Los Amigos de los Fuertes del Viejo San Juan, will give out kites on Saturday to the first 50 child participants. Los Amigos was recently established to advocate for the fortifications of Old San Juan, including raising funds for special projects and programs.
For more information and registration please call (787)729-6777.
San Juan National Historic Site is comprised of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, Fort Juan de La Cruz (El Cañuelo), the San Juan Gate, and City Wall. The site is open everyday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Admission to San Juan NHS is 3.00 for adults (16 and over), children 15 and under are free.
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