From check-in at the VIP tent on Friday to the farewell party on Sunday, the pilots and crew members were treated to some of the best meals to be found in central Pennsylvania, right on the field. Commonwealth Catering did a bang-up job of keeping close to three hundred fifty pilots, crew members and staff nourished throughout the weekend. The VIP tent served as our dining room, briefing room and gathering point for pilots and crew members to greet old friends and tell tall tales one to another.
In keeping with the festive theme, there were no competitions, no points; but plenty of prizes for everyone at the Saturday evening pilot and crew party. Pilots and crew members were eligible for $5000 worth of prizes ranging from day passes for two to four persons at HERSHEYPARK to VCRs and 25-inch color TVs! Twenty percent of the prize money is converted to prizes for the crews. These prizes included an assortment ranging from crew work gloves to 13-inch color TVs. Ironically, Carl Staub, crew chief of the Cookie balloon, was the winner of a five pound tin of assorted gourmet cookies!
Pilot Packs at this event are another outstanding exception; Don Dillon, balloonmeister, collects unusual and useful items throughout the year and presents an armful of gifts for the pilot and crew. This is not the usual “key chain and tee-shirt” gift pack, but items collectively worth over $100! Coupons for discounts on tee-shirts and sweatshirts are also included for those who wish to purchase them.