Maryam Bath, 6, of Yuba City tries to get her star-spangled kite in the air during Sunday’s kite festival at North Natomas Regional Park in Sacramento. Lack of wind and the heat kept many from putting their kites up, but they still enjoyed food and activities. Pakistani community leader Ras H. Siddiqui said the Basant Spring Kite Festival is a serious pastime for many Pakistani and Afghan immigrants. “We grew up flying kites, and it is a rite of spring – this festival is jointly celebrated by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.” Siddiqui added that it’s a competitive event and that strings are covered with powdered glass to try to bring down other people’s kites when the lines cross. The Pakistani American Association of Sacramento sponsored the festival.
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