WEST
February
21-22 Seattle, Washington
Northwest Balloon Association Safety Seminar. Back to Basics and Enrichment. Featured speaker Ed Yost. Contact Mandy Johnson, 428 8th St Ste 3, Auburn, WA 98002 or call 253-939-3040.
April
24-26 Temecula, California
Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival. 50 balloons. Contact Melody Brunsting, (909) 676-7875, orTeresa Kolbas, (909) 676-6713.
May
9-10 Walla Walla, Washington
24th Walla Walla Balloon Stampede. Contact the Walla Walla Area Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 644, Walla Walla, WA 99362, (509) 525-0850.
July
10-11 Kent, Washington
13th Annual Kent International Balloon Classic/SEAFAIR. 20 balloons. Contact Kent Parks & Recreation, (253) 859-3991.
September
11-13 Reno, Nevada
18th Annual Great Reno Balloon Race. 120 balloons. Contact Marlene Olsen, GRBR, POB 12695, Reno, NV 89510, 702- 826-1181
12-13 Payette, Idaho
Payette Hot Air Balloon Rally and Cruise Night. Contact Tony Hickey, 4696 N Tumbleweed Pl, Boise, ID 83713. 208-377-2090, email: fhickey@aol.com
November
6-8 Ridgecrest, California
Ridgecrest Balloon Festival. 60 balloons. Veteran's Day weekend, variety of family entertainment, crafts, and food. Contact Rob or Jetta Schantz, Balloon Tour America, POB51591, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240. 904-223-4362
SOUTHWEST
February
21 Plano, Texas
Safety Seminar - Back to Basics, Harvey Hotel in Plano. $35 prior to Feb 1 $45 after. For more information contact PBA, PO Box 861465, Plano, TX 75086
May
23-25 El Paso, Texas
12th Annual KLAQ El Paso International Balloon Festival. 50 balloons. Includes international flight from Juarez, Mexico to El Paso. Contact Joni at (915) 544-8864, fax (915) 532-6342 or write KLAQ, 4150 Pinnacle #120, El Paso, TX 79902.
June
12-14 San Angelo, Texas
Wild West Balloonfest & Southwest Regional Championship. Contact Joe Heartsill, Box 191, San Angelo, TX 76902. (915) 658-4000 or fax (915) 651-8909.
July
17-19 Longview, Texas
The Great Texas Balloon Race XX and Special Shape Championship. $20,000 The Great Texas Special Shapes Championship $8,000 prizes, key grab, country & western bands, airshow, arts & crafts. Elaine Reynolds, Longview Partnership, 410 N Center St, Longview, TX 75601, 903-237-4000
24-26 Mesquite, Texas
13th Annual Mesquite Balloon Festival. 50 balloons, $5,000 prize money. Contact Greg Thompson, 3308 Fairway Dr, Moore, OK 73160. 405-794-4668, fax 794-4544
31-Aug 2 Tulsa, Oklahoma
Gatesway Int'l Balloon Festival; 100 balloons, $5,000 prize money. Contact Greg Thompson, 3308 Fairway Dr, Moore, OK 73160, (405) 794-4668, fax 405-794-4544
August
7-9 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
3rd Annual Balloonfest '98, 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).
11-13 Austin, Texas
The Texas Hot Air Balloon Festival at Round Rock's Old Settler's Park. Linda Hess, pilot coordinator, email: linda@ balloonfest.org, http://www.balloonfest.org/
SOUTHEAST
February
7 Natchez, Mississippi
Pilot/Crew Hot Air Balloon Safety Seminar, "The Safety Challenge." A panel of Championship balloonists will focus on how pilots and crew can recognize and avoid situations that could jeopardize their safety, plus more. Carson Lane, 429 Kimmeridge Dr, Baton Rouge. LA 70815
March
20-22 Macon, Georgia
16th 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.
27-29 Conyers, Georgia
17th Annual Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival. 25+ balloons. Twenty miles east of Atlanta. Commercial balloons welcome. Contact Bob Tettman, AdVentures Aloft, POB 464246, Lawren-ceville, GA 30042. 770-963-0149
28-29 DeLand, Florida
14th Annual Central Florida Balloon Rally. 25 balloons, rooms, show up fee, prizes. Contact Doug Gantt, PO Box 35, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130, (904) 736-1010, or fax (904) 738-4302.
April
3-5 Atlanta, Georgia
61st Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival. 35 balloons in downtown Atlanta's Piedmont Park. Great demographics for commercial balloons. Media tether, glow, flights. Contact Bob Tettman, AdVentures Aloft, POB 464246, Lawren-ceville, GA 30042. 770-963-0149
17-19 Suffolk, Virginia
Suffolk Spring Spectacular and Balloon Fest.75 balloons, key grab, $6,000 in prize money. Contact: Rene Meier at 804-694-5800.
17-19 Tallahassee, Florida
4th Annual Capital Balloon Classic. Inviation only. Contact Kelly Carraway, 1830 Buford Ct, Tallahassee, FL 32308. 850-878-0892 or e-mail: carraway@nettally.com
24-26 Anderson, South Carolina
Anderson Spring Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival. 20 balloons. Contact Chuck Wagner, 424 Mulberry St, Milton, DE 19968 or Frank Ferraro, Anderson County Fair Inc, PO Box 274, Anderson, SC 29622. 864-226-6114 or fax 864-226-8001.
24-26 Athens, Georgia
Athens Airshow and Balloon Classic. Aviation festival featuring old war birds, stunt flying, helicopters and hot air balloons. Commercial balloons welcome. Forty-five minutes NE of Atlanta. 25+ balloons. Contact Bob Tettman, AdVentures Aloft, POB 464246, Lawren-ceville, GA 30042. 770-963-0149
May
8-10 Live Oak, Florida
3rd Spirit of the Suwannee Balloon Classi. 30 balloons, $5,000 prize money. Contact Rob or Jetta Schantz, PO Box 51591, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240. Phone 904-223-4362, Fax 904-223-6963
15-17 Burlington, NC
The Hospice League Horizons Balloon Festival/Air Show 98, 60+ balloons, $11, 000 prize money. All proceeds to benefit The Hospice Home. Contact Carolyn Starling, PO Box 2122, Burlington, NC 27216. (910) 538-8048.
22-25 Greenville, SC
17th 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
3-7 Helen, Georgia
25th Annual Helen-to-the-Atlantic Balloon Race. Race to the Atlantic plus Fiesta flying in Helen, Georgia. Contact Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival, PO Box 305, Helen, GA 30545. 800-445-2271.
5-7 Greenwood, Mississippi
Greenwood Balloonfest '98. 70 balloons. Contact Mark Bowie, POB 1982, Greenwood, MS 38935. 601-455-4288, email: markbowie@microsed.com.
19-21 Nashville, Tennessee
14th 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 61- 373-4575.
NORTHEAST
February
7 Hillsboro, New Hampshire
The Granite State Balloon Association Safety Seminar. One day "Ironbutt" safety seminar at American Legion in Hillsboro. Contact Mary Ann Lappies at (603) 478-5666.
28-Mar 1 Millersville, PA
John Wise Balloon Society Safety Seminar. Contact Sherry Willauer, PO Box 8696, Lancaster, PA 17604. Phone (717) 626-8585.
May
8-10 Baltimore, Maryland
Maryland Preakness Celebration. Contact Dan Sherrill, 13707 Copper Hills Dr., Manchaca, TX 78652, (512) 280-2558.
June
5-7 Burlington, Vermont
10th 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
26-28 Goshen, Connecticut
5th Annual Northwest Connecticut Balloon Festival & Crafts Fair. 20+ balloons, Silas M. Brooks Memorial Cup, prize money. Bill Colyer, 120 Flax Rd, Fairfield, CT 06430. 203-255-1929
July
24-26 Readington, New Jersey
16th Annual Quick Check New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. 100+ balloons. Contact Ann Doyle, 1140 Bloomfield Ave #209, W Caldwell, NJ 07006. 973-882-5464, Fax 973-882-7961.
August
14-16 Brookhaven, New York
Inaugural Waldbaum's Balloon Festival of Long Island. Calabro Airport. Contact Ann Doyle, 1140 Bloomfield Ave #209, West Caldwell, NJ 07006. 973-882-5464 or fax 973-882-7961.
September
3-7 Dansville, New York
New York State Festival of Balloons. Dansville Municipal Airport, featuring end largest gathering of balloons in NY state. 250 arts and craft, antique and commercial vendors. Continous entertainment. 60 balloons. Contact Jerry Rauber, 8828 State Road #256, Dansville, NY 14437, (716) 335-3708, or fax (716) 335-6094.
MIDWEST
February
6-8 Hudson, Wisconsin
Ninth annual Hudson Hot Air Affair balloon rally and winter festival. Historical ballooning re-enactments celebrating the Wisconsin Sesquicentennial. Mass ascensions, moon glow, parade, smooshboarding, craft fair. Contact Carla Jackman-Martin, Hudson Hot Air Affair, POB 744, Hud-son, WI 54016. 888-247-2332, e-mail jenerbon@pressenter.com
March
6-8 Akron, Ohio
Balloonowledge '98 Safety Seminar and Trade Fair. Contact Penny Suttle, 480 S. Bodmer, Strasburg, OH 44680-1216. Ph: 330-878-7201, e-mail: dct@tusco.net
21 Indianapolis, Indiana
Montgolfier Society of Indiana one day Safety Seminar. Ramada Inn-Airport, Indianapolis. Full core agenda plus breakouts and crew sessions. Contact Nick Hoffbauer, 2111 East 136th St, Carmel, IN 46032. 317-844-3718, email: ltagifts@aol.com
April
4-5 Lisle, Illinois
22nd Midwest Balloon Safety Semianr will feature class room sessions on Saturday at the Radisson Hotel in Lisle. Sunday's session takes flight at the Ultimate Sports Dome in Aurora. Contact Bennett Schwontkowski, PO Box 1295, Palatine, IL 60078. 847-991-9475, e-mail: Bpsapple@aol.com
May
29-31 Wisconsin Dells, WI
23rd Wisconsin Dells Balloon Rally. 90 balloons. Contact Debbie Spaeth, TDS Aviation Ltd., PO Box 674, West Bend, WI 53095, 414-338-2300, fax 414-338-1220.
June
12-14 Danville, Illinois
12th Oldsmobile Balloon Classic Illinois. 100 balloons, $23,000 prize money. 2nd The Ladies Championship and 2nd Danville Doubles, a unique team concept. Contact Herb Schmidt, 1110 Wintergreen St., Batavia, IL 60510, (708) 879-6733.
July
2-5 Lisle, Illinois
17th Eyes to the Sky Balloon Fest. 50 balloons. 9.5 million people Chicago media market. Lisle 4th of July Committee, POB 492, Lisle, IL 60532. 630-515-1676
17-19 Waukesha, Wisconsin
Spring City Skyfest, 35 balloons, refundable entry fee, $3,000 prize money, banners and passengers optional. Contact Ken Walter, Spring City Balloons, 414-547-8300 days or 414-524-8763 eves, email: kwalter979@aol.com
17-19 Jackson, Michigan
Hot Air Jubilee. 60-70 balloons. Contact Hot Air Jubilee, POB 1838 Jackson, MI 49204, 517-782-1515
23-25 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
24-26 Canton, Ohio
13th annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival Balloon Classic 60 balloons, team competition, $12,000 prize money. Contact Joanne Murray, Festival Marketing Director, 229 Wells Ave NW, Canton, OH 44703. 330-456-7253
24-26 Goshen, Indiana
10th Elkhart County Fair Balloon Chase. 30 balloons. Contact Gene Stutsman, Balloon Fantasy, 802 S. Ind. Ave., Goshen, IN 46536, (219) 534-2000.
24-26 Monroe, Wisconsin
13th Monroe Balloon Rally. 30 balloons. Contact Debbie Spaeth, TDS Aviaton Ltd., PO Box 674, West Bend, WI 53095, (414) 338-2300, fax (414) 338-1220.
NORTH CENTRAL
February
20-22 Carlisle, Iowa
Private and Commercial Ground School sponsored by Balloons Over Iowa, 1900 Blue Place, Carlisle, IA 50047. Up to 20 hours of instruction. Contact Gary Ford at (515) 255-5034 or Rob Bartholomew (515) 989-3708 or e-mail: weeksm@nppc.org
20-22 St. Louis, Missouri
Gateway Aerostatic Association Safety Seminar and trade show. Greg Hanson, 6405 Glendale Ct, House Springs, MO 63051. 314-671-1034 or fax 314-671-0478
March
7-8 Des Moines, Iowa
Iowa Balloonists Association Safety Seminar. Contact Jim Fromm, 702 W Salem, Indianola, IA 50125. 515-842-6922 or e-mail: FrommyWorld@worldnet.att.net.
May
2 Mitchell, South Dakota
The Corn Palace Balloon Club Safety Seminar. One day with optional afternoon flying. Contact Rick Geyerman, POB 158, Mitchell, SD 57301. email: hawkman@ compuserve.com
8-10 Wichita, Kansas
Wichita River Festival Balloon Race, 25 balloons. Greg Thompson, 3308 Fairway Dr, Moore, OK 73160. 405-794-4668, fax 794-4544
June
21-22 Gleno, Wyoming
4th Annual Glendo (WY) Balloon Rally. 25 balloons. Sponsored by Glendo Town Council. Fly lake Glendo and the winds of Wyoming. Contact Dic Atkins, email: dicky_doo2@juno.com
July
30-Aug 2 Billings, Montana
Pepsi Big Skyfest, 50 balloons, $15,000 prize money. Contact Rob or Jetta Schantz, PO Box 51591, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240. 904-223-4362, fax 904-223-6963
31-Aug 1 Amana/Cedar Rapids, IA
8th Tanager Place Balloon Rally. 35 balloons. Debbie Spaeth, TDS Aviation Ltd., PO Box 674, West Bend, WI 53095 (414) 338-2300, fax (414) 338-1220.
September
4-7 Colorado Springs, Colorado
The 11 News Balloon Classic/22nd Annual Colorado Springs Balloon Classic with 125 balloons. Contact Kristyn Stimits, 328 Bonfoy Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. (719) 471-4833
11-13 Kansas City, Missouri
Soaring thru Silence. 50 balloons. $5,000 prize money, Key grab. Contact Greg Thompson, 3308 Fairway Dr, Moore, OK 73160. (405) 794-4668, fax 405-794-4544
CANADA
July
17-19 Toronto, Ontario
Sky High Balloon Festival, a family festival of airborne magic. $25,000 in prizes. 50 balloons. Call 1-888-SKY-SHOW
30-Aug 3 London, Ontario
15th London Balloon Festival. 20 balloons. Fun flying, launch from downtown park, 100,000+ spectators. Contact Karen Rosenthal, PO Box 69, New Dundee, Ontario NO8 2EO, Phone (519) 696-2088 FAX (519) 696-2414.
August
8-16 St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QU
15th Festival de Montgolfieres de Saint Jean.150 montgolfières. Contact Martin Baccichet, Aeroport Municipal de St-Jean, Building #4, St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, J3B 7B5 (514) 346-6000, fax (514) 346-6148.
September
2-7 Gatineau, Quebec
11th Gatineau Hot Air Ballon Festival. 100 balloons, 15 airships.6th World Hot Air Airship Championship. 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
21-28 Apartado, Portugal
Portuguese Ballooning Club presents 2nd Annual Transcrossing of Portugal in 8 stages. Contact Manuel Vaz/Carla Dias, Il Travessia a Portugal em Balao de Ar Quente, Apartado 4324 4006 Porto/Portugal. Phone +351-2-5502994 or fax +351-2-5502998, e-mail: Realizar@caleida.pt
April
1-5 Hamilton, New Zealand
9th New Zealand Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. Contact Graham Hannah 011-64-7-838-1621 or fax 011-64-7-838-2165.
May
11-17 Sigulda, Latvia
7th International Festival of Ballooning and 3rd Baltic Cup '98. 40 balloons. Contact Gunars Dukste, PO Box 431, Riga, LV-1047, Latvia. Ph +371-761-1614 Fx +371-786-0206.
July
10-19 Todi, Umbria, Italy
10th Aniversary Italian International Balloon Grand Prix. 75 balloons, night glow Coliseum in Rome on 7/12. Contact Kathleen Anderson, Box 12, Site 2, RR#1, Cochrane, Alberta, T0L 0W0, Canada. 403-932-5729, email: kathleen@nimbusprojects.com
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