Wings Over Washington Kite Club President Paul R. LaMasters' Mardi Gras-inspired kite won the Hot Tricks Showdown and People's Choice awards, as well as third place in the Kitemaster Peer Awards.

LaMasters, of Germantown, Md., says the kite took about 50 hours to make, cost around $300 and is “made out of the best stuff it could be made out of” -- polyester.

The kite club offers lessons in flight and construction of kites, as well as organized flying times to "share good times with fellow kite fliers," says  LaMasters. Club members fly as a group on the first Sunday of each month on the National Mall.

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