Calendar

West

February
2 & 23 Oakland, California
Safety Seminar, BFA Back to Basics and FAA Wings.Two dates to choose from. $50. Contact Balloon Excelsior, 1241 High Street, Oakland, CA 94601, (510) 261-4222.
March
15 Palo Alto, California
Safety Seminar hosted by the Pacific Coast Aeronauts. Deke Sonnichsen, John Terry, Trimble, NWS, Gary Rominger, Gale Stroble and more. $20 pilots, $10 crew. Contact Larry Seiler (408) 383-2610 days or e-mail: larry_seiler@ltx-tr.com
April
11-13 Indio, California
Event to be held from polo field in Indio. Competition, parties, hotel and propane. Contact Sally Sudderth, Rt 1 Box 630-S, Anthony, NM 88021. (915) 877-4063. e-mail: hotair@www.tnis.net.
May
8-11 Walla Walla, Washington
23rd Walla Walla Balloon Stampede. Contact the Walla Walla Area Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 644, Walla Walla, WA 99362, (509) 525-0850.
June
26-29 Windsor, California
Sonoma County's 9th Annual Hot Air Balloon Classic. Fly the wine country. Contact Denise Gilseth, PO Box 819, Windsor, CA. (707) 528-2332.
27-29 Boise, Idaho
7th annual Boise River Festival. Hot air balloons, family entertainment, parades. Contact Scott Spencer, 111 Broadway #133, Boise, ID 83702. (208) 375-0512.
July
11-12 Kent, Washington
12th Annual Kent International Balloon Classic/SEAFAIR. 20 balloons. Contact Kent Parks & Recreation, (206) 859-3991.
August
30-Sep 1 Chino, California
Prado Park Balloon Fest, 50+ balloons plus 5+ shapes. BFA sanctioned. Contact Dale Wong, 12345 Firethorn St, Rancho Cuomonga, CA 91739. (909) 899-9844, Fax (909) 628-6220.
September
5-7 Reno, Nevada
16th Annual Great Reno Balloon Race. 150 balloons. Contact Marlene Olsen, GRBR, PO Box 12695, Reno, NV 89510, (702) 826-1181.

Southwest

February
15-16 Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Friends and Lovers Rally, Invitational 135+ balloons. Contact Carol Bair, 8801 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111, (505) 296-3505
March
12-13 Las Lunas, New Mexico
St Patrick's Day Rally. Contact M Geddes (505) 869-6250.
July
11-13 Longview, Texas
The Great Texas Balloon Race XIX and Special Shape Championship. 80 balloons. $32,000 cash prize plus $50,000 key grab. Contact Elaine Reynolds, Longview Partnership, 410 W. Center St., Longview, TX 75601, (903) 237-4000.
25-27 Mesquite, Texas
Mesquite Balloon Festival. 50 balloons, $6,000 prize money. Contact Greg Thompson, 3308 Fairway Dr, Moore, OK 73160. (405) 794-4668.
August
1-3 Tulsa, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Hot Air Balloon Championship; 100 balloons, $6,000 prize money, key grab. Contact Greg Thompson, 3308 Fairway Dr, Moore, OK 73160, (405) 794-4668.
8-10 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
2nd Annual Balloonfest '97, 65 balloons. Plus Special Shapes. Funds to: Oklahoma City Food Bank, contact Lynn Harris, RE/MAX, 8604 Rayburn, OKC, OK 73149. (405) 631-0117 (h).
September
19-21 Plano, Texas
18th Annual Plano Balloon Festival, Invitational, 75 balloons, Arts & Crafts fair, special shapes. Contact Jack Gotthardt, Plano Balloon Festival, 2935 Pegasus, Garland, TX 75044. (214) 495-6534.
October
3-5 Page, Arizona
11th Annual Page-Lake Powell Hot Air Afaire. 15 balloons. Awesome scenery & great boating. Contact Ed Newman, PO Box 936, Riverton, UT 84065 (801) 974-9400
4-12 Albuquerque, New Mexico
26th Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. 650+ balloons. Contact Linda Forsythe, Pilot Coordinator, 8309 Washington Place N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87113, (505) 821-1000.
November
1-2 Scottsdale, Arizona
1997 Cox Communications Thunderbird Balloon Classic. 125 balloons. Contact Judy Contreras, Thunderbird Balloon Race Office, 15249 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85306 (602) 978-7208.

Southeast

February
1-2 Charlotte, North Carolina
Carolina's Balloon Association Safety Seminar. Contact Gary LaMunion, 9617 Kingsford Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606. (919) 362-9742 or e-mail: habpilot@ interpath.com.
22 Lakeland, Florida
Balloon Safety Seminar. For more information contact Mark Roberson, 11475 Rocket Blvd, Orlando, FL 32824 or call 407-438-4488 or call Bill Whidden 407-870-0031.
March
21-23 Macon, Georgia
15th Cherry Blossom Festival and BellSouth Mobility Balloon Fest. 37 balloons Contact Sally McLemore, Cherry Blossom Festival, 794 Cherry St., Macon, GA 31201, (912) 751-7429.
April
5-6 DeLand, Florida
13th Annual Central Florida Balloon Rally. Contact Doug Gantt, PO Box 35, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130, (904) 736-1010, or fax (904) 738-4302.
11-13 Suffolk, Virginia
Suffolk Spring Spectacular and Balloon Fest. Contact: Rene Meier at (804) 694-5800.
19-20 Tallahassee, Florida
3rd Annual Capital Balloon Classic. Inviation only. Contact Kelly Carraway, 1830 Buford Ct, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Phone (904) 878-0892.
May
16-18 Burlington, North Carolina
The Hospice League Horizons Balloon Festival/Air Show 97, 65 balloons, $11, 000 prize money. All proceeds to benefit The Hospice Home. Contact Carolyn Starling, PO Box 2122, Burlington, NC 27216. (910) 538-8048.
16-18 Live Oak, Florida
Spirit of the Suwannee Balloon Classic in conjunction with Music Festival. 30 balloons, $5,000 prize money. Contact Rob or Jetta Schantz, PO Box 51591, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240. Phone (904) 223-4362.
23-26 Decatur, Alabama
20th Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic. 55 balloons. Key grab, plenty of big fields. low-pressure flying. Contact Mike Wahl, PO Box 2601, Decatur, AL 35602. (205) 350-6983, fax (205) 355-9318, e-mail: mrwahl@net-master.net
23-26 Greenville, South Carolina
16th Annual Freedom Weekend Aloft. 100 balloons. Contact FWA, Keri Hall, Event Director, 1990 Augusta St, Suite 202, Greenville, SC 29605, (864) 232-3700, or fax (864) 271-9339.
June
5-8 Helen, Georgia
Annual Helen-to-the-Atlantic Balloon Race. Race to the Atlantic plus Fiesta flying in Helen, Georgia. Contact Tarp Head, PO Box 28, Helen, GA 30545. (706) 865-3874.
20-22 Nashville, Tennessee
13th Annual Nashville Balloon Classic Benefiting The EAR Foundation at Baptist Hospital. 50 balloons. Contact Music City Balloon Promotions, PO Box 1254, Brentwood, TN 37027, or call David Eastland at (615) 794-8655 or Butch Stamps at (615) 373-4575.
October
25-27 Mooresville, North Carolina
FireFly Fall Classic, 50 balloons, $10,000 prize money, keygrab. $50 entry, $100 showup money. Contact FireFly Fall Classic, 281 Catalina Dr, Mooresville, NC 28115. Ph (704) 878-9501

Northheast

March
7-8 Easton, Pennsylvania
Great Eastern Balloon Association Safety Seminar. Contact Bob Dicks, PO Box 635, Holland, PA 18956. (212) 322-8097, fax (215) 322-3677.
May
10 Milton, Delaware
8th Annual Delmarva Hot Air Balloon Festival. 20 balloons. Contact Chuck or Patt Wagner, 4 Mainsail Dr., Milton, DE 19968, (302) 684-8404, fax (302) 684-1036.
June
6-8 Deptford, New Jersey
4th Annual Lions Flight for Sight Hot Air Balloon Festival. 25 balloons, 5 flights. Moon glow, Games, Crafters, Food, and more. Contact Jim Bernardo (609) 228-1964.
6-8 Burlington, Vermont
9th Annual Lake Champlain Balloon Festival. 50 balloons (invitational; commerical balloons invited to inquire). Contact Rick Pollack, Lake Champlain Balloon Festival, PO Box 115, Charlotte, VT 05445, (802) 425-4884. http://www-balloonfest.together.com/
July
17-20 Harborcreek, Pennsylvania
Harborfest-Harborflyte. 15 balloons with large country fair, top entertainment. Contact Jim SiDsantis, Harborcreek Chamber of Commerce. 814-899-9173.
25-27 Readington, New Jersey
14th Annual Quick Check New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. 100+ balloons. Contact Ann Doyle, 1140 Bloomfield Ave #209, W Caldwell, NJ 07006. (201) 882-5464, Fax (201) 882-7961.
August
8-10 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta. 30 balloons. Contact Kevin Poeppelman, 26809 Haines Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871, (301) 881-6262.
September
19-21 Glens Falls, New York
Adirondack Balloon Festival. Contact (518) 761-6366 or (800) 365-1050.

Midwest

February
7-9 Hudson, Wisconsin
The Hudson Hot Air Affair, eight annual winter celebration hosts 40 balloons and family entertainment. Contact Hudson Hot Air Afair Inc. at 888-AIR AFFAIR (247-2332).
March
8-10 Akron, Ohio
Balloonowledge '97 Safety Seminar and Trade Fair. Contact Gayle Myers, One Dolphin Dr, Akron, OH 44313. (330) 923-4600, fax (330) 945-4540.
June
13-15 Plymouth, Indiana
Marshall County Hot Air Affair, 20 balloons. Contact Jerry Hull, 2273 S Country Club Rd, Warsaw, IN 46580 (219) 267-2791.
13-15 Danville, Illinois
11th Oldsmobile Balloon Classic Illinois. 110 balloons, $22,000 prize money. 1st The Ladies Championship and 1st Danville Doubles, a unique team concept. Contact Herb Schmidt, 1110 Wintergreen St., Batavia, IL 60510, (708) 879-6733.
27-29 Warsaw, Indiana
City of Lakes Balloonfest, 15 Balloons. Contact Jerry Hull, 2273 S. Country Club Road, Warsaw, IN 46580, (219) 267-2791.
28-July 5 Battle Creek, Michigan
1997 Team U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship & Air Show. 200 balloons. Contact BCIBC, 237 North Helmer Road, Battle Creek, MI 49015 (616) 962-0592.
July
3-6 Lisle, Illinois
16th Eyes to the Sky Balloon Fest. 35 balloons, $400 show up money. 5.5 million people Chicago media market. Contact Herb Schmidt, 1110 Wintergreen St., Batavia, IL 60510 (708) 879-6733.
4-6 Ashland, Ohio
8th Annual Ashland Balloonfest, 35 balloons. Contact John Sidle, PO Box 331, Ashland, OH 44805. (419) 281-1826.
18-20 Canton, Ohio
12th annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival Balloon Classic 60 balloons, team competition, $15,000 prize money. Contact Joanne Murray, Festival Marketing Director, 229 Wells Ave NW, Canton, OH 44703. (800) 533-4302
18-20 Goshen, Indiana
9th Elkhart County Fair Balloon Chase. 25 balloons. Contact Gene Stutsman, Balloon Fantasy, 802 S. Ind. Ave., Goshen, IN 46536, (219) 534-2000.
18-20 Jackson, Michigan
Hot Air Jubilee. 50-75 balloons. Contact Kevin Morgan, PO Box 1838, Jackson, MI 49204, (517) 782-1515.
24-26 Bowling Green, Kentucky
The Trans Financial Bank Balloon Classic. 60 balloons by invitation. Contact David Eastland, MCBP, 119 Featherstone Dr., Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 794-8655.
August
15-17 Centralia, Illinois
8th Annual Centralia Balloon Fest 96. 45 balloons, $15,000 prize money. Balloonmeister Bob Corey. Contact Centralia CoC, 130 S Locut St, Centralia, IL 62801. (618) 532-6789.
September
5-7 Carbondale, Illinois
4th Annual Cascade of Colors.Prize money, Pole Grabs. Contact Cascade of Colors, POB 1086, Carbondale, IL 62903. (618) 529-2357
5-7 Valparaiso, Indiana
6th Annual Kiwanis Club Popcorn Balloonfest. 30 balloons. Contact Jerry Hull, 2273 S. Country Club Road, Warsaw, IN 46580, (219) 267-2791.
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North Central

February
7-9 Carlisle, Iowa
Private and Commercial Ground School sponsored by Balloons Over Iowa. Contact Julie Frueh at (515) 981-4609 or Gary Ford at (515) 255-5034.
22-23 St. Louis, Missouri
Gateway Aerostatic Association Safety Seminar. Contact Tina Reeves, 10472 Ashby Pl, St. Louis, MO 63074. (314) 427-8298, e-mail: skyangel@stlmo.com
July
11-13 Rock Springs, Wyoming
9th Annual Desert Balloon Extravaganza. 30+ balloons. Contact Bruce Pivic, PO Box 773, Rock Springs, WY 82902, (307) 872-3436, or fax (307) 382-3370
31-Aug 3 Billings, Montana
Pepsi Big Skyfest, 75 balloons, $15,000 prize money. Contact Rob or Jetta Schantz, PO Box 51591, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240. Phone (904) 223-4362 or fax (904) 223-6963
August
8-16 Columbia, Missouri
U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship. 100 competitors plus fiesta flyers. Contact LaDonna Weimer, Missouri Balloon Corp., PO Box 1305, Columbia, MO 65205. (314) 499-0884.
29-Sep 1 Colorado Springs, CO
21st Annual Colorado Springs Balloon Classic with 125 balloons. Contact Pasty Buchwald, 3705 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. (719) 471-4833

Canada

August
9-17 St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec
14th Festival de Montgolfieres de Saint Jean.100 montgolfieres. Contact Daniel Bissonnette, Aeroport Municipal de St-Jean, Building #4, St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, J3B 7B5 (514) 346-6000, fax (514) 346-6148.
29-Sep 1 Gatineau, Quebec
10th Gatineau Hot Air Ballon Festival. 150 balloons. Contact Jean Boileau, Director General 144, boulevard de l'Hopital, Gatineau, Quebec J8T 7S7, (819) 243-2331, or fax (819) 233-2338. e-mail: comm@ville.gatineau.qc.ca

International

March
8-17 Canberra, Australia
Canberra Festival Balloon Fiesta. Autumn flights over Australia's capital city as part of the annual Camberra Festival. No entry fee, free propane, free room, local retrieve and crew. Contact Sally Markham, PO Box 173 Civic Square ACT, Australia 2608, 61-6-207-6477, or fax 61-6-207-6472.
19-23 Hamilton, New Zealand
8th New Zealand Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. Contact Graham Hannah 011-64-7-838-1621 or fax 011-64-7-838-2165.
April
27-May 2 Sligo, Ireland
Sligo '97 3rd Annual Sligo Balloon Fiesta. Limited to 40 balloons. Contact Malcolm White, 60 Dargle Wood, Knocklyon, Dublin 16, Eire. Tel 011-353-87-432200. e-mail: malcolm@ white.ie
May
13-18 Sigulda, Latvia
6th International Festival of Ballooning and 2nd Baltic Cup '96. 40 balloons. Contact Gunars Dukste, PO Box 431, Riga, LV-1047, Latvia. Ph/Fx +371-786-0206.
October
31-Nov 14 Antigua, Caribbean
3rd Antigua Balloon Festival (Caribbean). Supported by Antigua & Barbuda Dept of Tourism. Local retrieve and crew, good hotel superior accommodation, 365 beaches, The Heart of the Caribbean. Contact: Todd Challenger, 25 St. Margaret's Green, Ipswich, Suffolk, England Ip4 2BN. Phone +44-1473-280010, fax +44-1473-210078, e-mail: balloon@ anglianet.co.uk
November
15-22 Saga, Japan
World Hot Air Balloon Championship, 14th Pacific Cup and 8th Ladies World Cup. Saga International Balloon Fiesta. FAI sanctioned. ContactMasashi Kakuda, 1F, 3-7-2, Nabeshima, Saga City, 849 Japan. Phone 81-952-33-3955, fax 81-952-33-3977