Giant taffeta and bamboo kites ring in the New Year in Baguio City, Philippines. Brightly colored and measuring 22-feet long and 11-feet wide, with 45-foot long tails, these kites symbolize joy, hope and peace.

It’s a family activity, beginning with the creation of the kites right through to the kite flying.

Read more about this peaceful celebration: In Baguio, kite greets ’09.

Those of us residing in the great white north don’t think much about kite flying this time of year. But that may change … did you know you can fly kites indoors?

Indoor kite-flying national champion Paul De Bakker, 31, of Wilmington, N.C., demonstrates his skill.

In fact, indoor kite flying is a competitive endeavor with competitions held regionally and nationally. At the Camas Indoor Kite Festival in Washington last month, 300 people filled the gymnasium to watch fliers dance and move to keep colorful, ultra-light, high-tech kites in the air.

With tugs and pulls and twirls, each kite’s moves are carefully choreographed to music. Competitors are judged on choreography, execution and entertainment value.

Learn more about indoor kite flying here.