The Washington Monument is 555 feet high. No kite that has won an award at a previous Smithsonian Kite Festival will be eligible for competition. A kite flyer may enter a kite that is similar to a kite for which he or she won an award at a previous Smithsonian Kite Festival only if it is of all new construction . Further, the artistic or mechanical design must differ from or improve upon the award-winning aspects of the previous entry. This is a comprehensive event.
Separate judges give scores for craftsmanship, design, appearance, and flight performance.
These component scores are combined to compute the total score. The contestant receiving the highest score of those contestants entered in that entry category will win the award. Each has its own scorecard. The Kite Maker competition is open to all contestants who have not previously won two adult awards at the Smithsonian Kite Festival or who are not professionally involved in designing or manufacturing kites. Adults or seniors who have previously won two adult awards at the Smithsonian Kite Festival, or who are professional kite designers or manufacturers, must compete as Master Kite Makers.