Kites on Ice to draw thousands to Memorial Union

Despite the mild weather Madison experienced earlier this winter, it looks like there will be plenty of ice on Lake Mendota off the Memorial Union Terrace for the Kites on Ice festival Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8. As many as 80,000 people are expected to visit campus to see top kite fliers exhibit their skills.

The event, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on both days, will include team kite flying, kite skiing, ground displays, a wind garden, giant kites, a skating rink and more. Saturday’s schedule also includes a 6:15 p.m.ight flight of kites choreographed to music and ending with a brief fireworks display.

The Hoofers will hold their winter carnival on the lake as well; the event includes a student broomball tournament, ice golf and ice diving demonstrations.

Kite-making workshops, displays, kite flying, programs and exhibits will be held inside the Union. Zoology professor emeritus John Magnuson will present “The Physics of Ice.” C. Allen Wortley, professor emeritus of engineering professional development, will present “Ice is Nice.”

Food service will be available indoors and in the hospitality tent on the lake.

UW Transportation Services will provide free public parking on both days in campus lots 3, 4, 9, 10, 20, 25, 26, 32, 34, 36-39, 40, 47, 51, 57-60, 62, 64 and 85. Lot 1 at Memorial Union will not be open to the public.

The Helen C. White Hall, Grainger Hall and Fluno Center ramps (areas 6, 7 and 83) will sell parking on a space-available basis. Area 46 (Southeast ramp) will have metered parking on Saturday; parking is free in the ramp on Sunday.

Kites on Ice will provide free shuttle-bus service between Lot 60 and Memorial Union. Buses will run approximately every 10 minutes from 9:30 a.m. until after the fireworks on Saturday, and from 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Lake Street north of Langdon Street will be closed to traffic.

For a complete schedule of Kites on Ice activities and a printable parking map, visit http://www.madfest.org/kites/. Information on Union activities can be found at http://www.union.wisc.edu.

Because Kites on Ice is run by a nonprofit organization, Madison Festivals Inc., those attending will be asked for suggested donations of $2 per adult and $1 per child. Donation boxes will be located at building entrances and on the ice.