Balloon Edition #13 with 13 flights out of a possibility of 18, 13 special shapes, and 13 Prohibited Zones, one PZ per year! Lucky 13! This year more than 100 balloonists including pilots from Ireland, England, France and the U.S.A. gathered for the 9-day event held August 10 through 18. No accidents to report but one incident did occur: a pilot jumped from his pick-up truck, his foot landed on the only hole in the field, and he broke his ankle. Lucky 13!

Flying in this beautiful area along the Richelieu river is an attraction in itself. Add the vast open spaces, few red zones, friendly farmers, and a great organizing team, and you have an especially attractive event. Forget number 13!

The 1996 edition introduced a new balloon committee of 2 directors and 3 Ballonmeisters, friendly competitions, balloon exhibitors and a computerized booking system similar to that of the airline industry- including boarding passes- to manage the distribution of some 1,100 paying passengers and VIPs.

Friendly competitive tasks were held on every weekday morning. For every morning task flown, a prize was awarded. An overall prize for first, second and third places were also given out during Sunday's brunch. First place: Samuel Nettles, second: Serge Bourassa and Denis Unsworth was third. Monday night, a fly-in to the airport site was organized but none of the 25 competitors were able to drop their marker within the scoring area.

The Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday evening glows were spectacular. The hundred balloons were divided into 3 groups. Each evenings, a group of 30 balloons formed a gigantic circle for panoramic photographer Denis Tremblay. Each participants received a panoramic picture and also had a chance to win a trip for 2 or a 1, 500 $ prize money. The winner of the draw was Scott Kelley.

Marketing and Communications introduced a new catchy logo Le Festival d'été le plus familial au Québec - Quebec's Summer Festival for Family Fun. Indeed 15 inflatable games for the kiddies, a mini-golf, mountain biking, a small farm, a huge sand box, a large carnival with several amusement rides and a Ferris wheel, arts and crafts, a Ferrari car show, a kite flying performance show, a balloon museum, and clowns all helped to animate family members. Tuesday afternoon the animation site was open exclusively for pilots, their chase crews, and families. All evening shows began with newcomers in the artistic world followed with Quebec's most popular entertainers. Saturday night the Backstreet Boys attracted a crowd of 61,000 people, for an overall audience of 250, 000 visitors.

No wonder, major sponsorships tripled in 1996! Le Festival de montgolfières de St- Jean-sur-Richelieu has demonstrated its determination to maintain leadership and efficiency in the balloon community with new features and concepts in the operation of balloon festivals. In 1997 the balloon festival will be held from August 9 to 17 and aims for the participation of 150 balloons.