Breaking all records for the past three years, Temecula Valley's 1995
Balloon & Wine Festival enjoyed a double dose of balloon-dotted skies
Saturday and Sunday. The 12th annual Balloon & Wine Festival was held at
Lake Skinner in Temecula, California on April 28, 29 and 30. The weekend began Friday night when the gates opened at 5 p.m. for a spectacular evening balloon dance. Nine balloons participated in the "Valley Glow" as their pilots ignited the balloon burners, illuminating the night sky with excitement. "Green Eggs" enhanced the evening with musical entertainment on the main stage.
As the sun rose Saturday, there were still remains of fog in the valley to worry Festival general manager, Michelle Harris. But the fog was no match for the brilliant sun this year, and it burned off in time to launch the first colorful balloon by 8:00 a.m.
Forty-eight hot air balloons ascended over the crystal blue waters of Lake Skinner Saturday and Sunday. Two waves were necessary to accommodate the balloons that participated in the weekend's "hare and hound" competition.
The first "hare" balloon to lead the pack Saturday was "Midas," piloted by Mike Palumbo. Second was, "Blue Moon," piloted by Sam Slaughter. Mike and Sam traded hare positions Sunday. Both balloons were supplied by Pacific Horizon Balloon Tours out of Rancho Santa Fe, California, owned by Jim Bilotta.
As the "hounds" chased the "hares," the sky was filled with multi colored hot air balloons trying to maneuver close enough to the hare landing sites.
Sunday's balloon ascent was launched as honorary balloonmeister, Mike Nolan, KFI Radio's "Eye in the Sky," and Temecula's Mayor, Jeff Stone, teamed up in the first hare balloon. This was Mayor Stone's first hot air balloon flight. He admitted being a little nervous at first, but soon got his flight legs and enjoyed surveying the beautiful country side.
This year, a very special balloon provided free tethered rides to all disabled and special-needs Festival guests. "Serena's Song," a sapphire blue hot air balloon, is ten-stories tall, and is the world's only FAA approved wheelchair-accessible hot air balloon. "Serena's Song" is the brainchild of Iowa farmer Gary Waldman, who named her after his daughter Serena, a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Serena received her first hot air balloon flight when she was nine years old. Her joyous reaction sparked Gary's vision of providing joy to other disabled and special-needs children. The balloon's appearance at this year's Festival marked her first time on the West Coast and was sponsored by Sharp HealthCare Murrieta.
This year's musical lineup was aimed to please as it offered a variety of entertainers. The "British Invasion," playing popular Beetles tunes took the main stage Saturday morning once the balloons cleared the field. "Bennie and the Jets" presented a realistic tribute to Elton John, costumes and all, as they rocked the crowd with some of E.J.'s classics? The festival grounds were flocked by record breaking crowds Saturday afternoon as John Kay and Steppenwolf took them on a rock-n-roll magic carpet ride. Then Lou Rawls romanced the ladies Saturday night with his mellow baritone voice as he performed prior to Saturday's evening balloon glow?
Sunday rocked, beginning with Cannibal and the Headhunters, followed
by Brian Hyland singing "The Joker Went Wild" and "Gypsy Woman.? Davy
Jones of the Monkees continued to entertain the masses Sunday afternoon
with "I'm A Believer," "She," and "Hey Hey We're the Monkees."
Mid-day wine tasting at the "Wine Faire" included local vintners such as Callaway, Maurice Carrie, Temecula Crest, Baily, Thorton, and Van Roekel, Temecula's newest winery. Wine connoisseurs were entertained by international music ranging from the steel drum and cajun tunes of the "Zydeco Party Band," to John Laskin and his three-piece jazz ensemble. Fourteen wineries now grace the Temecula Valley, producing award- winning premium wines made possible by its unique micro-climate. The Temecula Valley is also rich in fertile, well-drained soil which is perfect for premium grape production. Most wineries offer year-round daily or weekend tastings of their fine wines and facility tours.
The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival has been a tradition since 1983. This year, over 55,000 guests attended the block buster three-day event. Created to celebrate the quality lifestyle in the Temecula Valley, the Festival also featured a children's fair, arts and crafts fair, and for the first time, a western village. This authentic western setting offered line dancing, country western music, old west gun fights, hay rides and a trick-roping, singing cowboy.
Temecula is an easy drive from Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs and the Southern California beach communities. Besides being a popular hot air ballooning community, Temecula also offers world class golf courses, horse-back riding, camping at Lake Skinner and a historical Old Town. When visiting the Balloon and Wine Festival next year, be sure to extend your vacation to include some of these enjoyable activities.
