Clark Signature Days Kite Fly
Billings, MT July 23 & 24
Billings, Montana is the home of the Lewis and Clark Kite Exhibition. More than 30 kitemakers were contracted to make a kite based on one segment of the Lewis and Clark Journals written during the Corp of Discovery. 2003-2006 marks the 200th Anniversary of the journey of William Clark and Meriweather Lewis. The kites are on display at the Billings Internation Airport Terminal and will be on display through the summer of 2006. 35 miles east of Billings is an outcrop of sandstone called Pompey's Pillar. William Clark signed his name on that piece of sandstone nearly 200 years ago. Billings commemorates the Corp of Discovery by celebrating Signature Days the third weekend in July. Terry Lee invited a few of us to fly kite in Billings in anticipation of the festival that will be held in conjunction with the National Lewis and Clark event to be held in July of 2006. It was thrilling to see all the kites and it was a pleasure sharing friendly moments with Terry, Drake Smith, John Pollock and his wife, Don and Alice Guick, and Mike Shaw. The hotel accommodations were first rate and I was impressed by the revitalization visible in downtown Billings. The kite flying was typical middle summer winds...light to non-existent...but it was fun being back at Amend Park, the scene of my first foray into national kitemaking competition. After spending the day flying kites, we dined at the Petroleum Club on the 22nd floor of the Radisson Hotel. What an outstanding meal and I understand their scotch selection was top notch. I look forward to welcoming many of you to Billings next year for the National Lewis and Clark Event.
