WEST
March
28-29 Temecula, California
Balloon Safety Semianr, Sponsored by Southern California Balloon Association. 8 hour Back to Basics on Saturday. Sunday option Biennial flight reviews. Contact Dominic Chemello 919-694-5351 or Dave Lynch 909-694-6289
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.
August
7-9 Salmon, Idaho
The Great Salmon Valley Balloonfest VII.25-30 balloons. Salmon Valley Chamber of Commerce, 200 Main St., Salmon, ID 83467, (208) 756-2100.
September
11-13 Reno, Nevada
18th Annual Great Reno Balloon Race. 120 balloons. Contact Marlene Olsen, GRBR, PO Box 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 Tzour America, PO Box 51591, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240. 904-223-4362
SOUTHWEST
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. Joni at 915-544-8864, fax 915-532-6342, 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, Plus key grab, country & western bands, airshow, arts & crafts. Contact 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 405-794-4544
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).
28-30 Houston, Texas
Ballunar Liftoff '98 @ NASA/Johnson Space Center, 100 balloons. Contact Steven Lombardi, 435 B-1 FM 1092 #333, Stafford, TX 77477. 713-774-2359
September
11-13 Austin, Texas
The Texas Hot Air Balloon Festival at Round Rock's Old Settler's Park. Contact Linda Hess, pilot coordinator, email: linda@balloonfest.org, http://www.balloonfest.org
October
30-Nov 1 San Antonio, Texas
UTSA Balloonfest 98. 35 balloons, key grab, BFA sanction, $10,000 prize money. Contact Dan Sherrill, 13707 Copper Hills Dr, Manchaca, TX 78652. Phone 512-280-2558.
SOUTHEAST
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, Law-renceville, 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, Law-renceville, 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. Phone 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. 45 minutes NE of Atlanta. 25+ balloons. Contact Bob Tettman, AdVentures Aloft, POB 464246, Law-renceville, 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, POB 51591, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240. 904-223-4362, Fax 904-223-6963
15-17 Burlington, North Carolina
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, POB 2122, Burlington, NC 27216. 910-538-8048.
22-25 Greenville, South Carolina
17th Annual Freedom Weekend Aloft. 100 balloons. FWA, Keri Hall, 1990 Augusta St, Suite 202, Greenville, SC 29605, 864-232-3700, fax 864-271-9339
23-25 Decatur, Alabama
21th Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic. 65 balloons. Key grab, no prize money but penty of fun. Contact Ken Garner, 2025 Jefferson Ave SW, Decatur, IL 35603: 256-350-2257 or Decatur Convention &Visitors Bureau 256-350-3038.
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. 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 (615) 373-4575.
October
25-27 Augusta, Georgia
7th Annual Boshears Memorial Fly-In. Contact Dennis Murphy or David Fields, 523 Creighton Dr, N Augusta, SC 29841 Day 706-724-3543 Ext 222, eve 803-278-2677, fax 706-722-3393, e-mail: david@augustalimo.com
NORTHEAST
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/
19-20 Deptford, New Jersey
5th Annual Lions Flight for Sight Hot Air Balloon Festival. 25+ balloons. There will be a craft fair, children's rides, food, entertainment, bike races, 5K Run. Contact Balloonmeister Bob Dicks 215-322-8754 or Bob Freidel 609-228-8626
26-28 Batavia, New York
1st annual Great CJ County Balloon Festival. 15 balloons. Contact Dwayne Claud, PO Box 251, Warsaw, NY 14569. W 716-786-8131 or H 716-382-2644 . email: hotair@wycol.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
24-26 Kingston, Rhode Island
20th Annual Wakefield Rotary Balloon Festival. 20 balloons. Contact Larry Fortin, 31 Fortin Rd, Kingston, RI 02881. Ph 401-783-9386
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.
30-Aug 2 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta. 25 balloons. Contact Kevin Poeppelman, 26809 Haines Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871, (301) 881-6262.
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.
October
16-18 Shawnee On Delaware, Pennsylvania
Shawnee Fall Foliage Balloon Festival. 25 ballooons. Contact Kelly Figler, Shawnee Inn, POB 67, Shawnee on Delaware, PA 18356. (717 424-4000 ext 1536, fax (717) 424-9168.
MIDWEST
March
6-8 Akron, Ohio
Balloonowledge '98 Safety Seminar and Trade Fair. Penny Suttle, 480 S. Bodmer, Strasburg, OH 44680-1216. 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, Wisconsin
23rd Wisconsin Dells Balloon Rally. 90 balloons. Debbie Spaeth, TDS Aviation Ltd., POB 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.
19-21 Plymouth, Indiana
Marshall County Hot Air Affair, 15 balloons. Contact Jerry Hull, 2273 S Country Club Rd, Warsaw, IN 46580 219-267-2791.
26-28 Warsaw, Indiana
City of Lakes Balloonfest, 15 Balloons. Contact Jerry Hull, 2273 S. Country Club Road, Warsaw, IN 46580, 219-267-2791.
July
2-5 Lisle, Illinois
17th Eyes to the Sky Balloon Fest. 50 balloons. 9.5 million people Chicago media market. Contact Lisle 4th of July Committee, PO Box 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 (d), 414-524-8763 (e), email: kwalter979@aol.com
17-19 Jackson, Michigan
Hot Air Jubilee. 50 balloons. Contact Hot Air Jubilee, PO Box 1838, Jackson, MI 49204, 517-782-1515, Fax 517-782-5053
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., POB 674, West Bend, WI 53095, 414-338-2300, fax 414-338-1220
August
7-9 Muncie, Indiana
Summer Heat Balloon Championship, 50 balloons. Compete for a $12,000 prize purse. Contact Victoria Veach or Pat Biddlecombe, 425 N High St, Muncie, IN 47305. 765-284-2700
September
4-6 Terre Haute, Indiana
The Eagle Wabash Valley Balloon Classic, 25 balloons, prizes, fun for all. Contact Hank Norris, 1142 Lake Ridge Rd, Danville, IL 61832
11-13 Effingham, Illinois
3rd Annual Effingham Citizens Bank Balloon Classic. Competition and fiesta flying. Contact Mike Thomas, 2308C Hoffman Dr, Effingham, IL 62401. (217) 347-5990
11-13 Carbondale, Illinois
5th Annual Cascade of Colors. $3000 prize money. Contact Tom Forenz, Cascade of Colors, POB 1086, Carbondale, IL 62903. (618) 529-2357
11-13 Valparaiso, Indiana
8th Annual Kiwanis Club Popcorn Balloonfest. 30 balloons. Contact Jerry Hull, 2273 S. Country Club Road, Warsaw, IN 46580, 219-267-2791.
NORTH CENTRAL
March
7-8 Des Moines, Iowa
Iowa Balloonists Association Safety Seminar. Jim Fromm, 702 W Salem, Indianola, IA 50125. 515-842-6922 or e-mail: FrommyWorld@worldnet.att.net.
April
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. Contact Greg Thompson, 3308 Fairway Dr, Moore, OK 73160. (405) 794-4668, fax 405-794-4544
June
20-21 Mitchell, South Dakota
Corn Palace Balloon Rally and Governor's Challenge. 50 balloons. Contact Soukup & Thomas IB&AM, 700 N Main St., Mitchell, SD 57301. (605) 996-2311, fax (605) 996-2218.
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. 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. Phone (904) 223-4362 or fax (904) 223-6963
31-Aug 1 Amana/Cedar Rapids, Iowa
8th Tanager Place Balloon Rally. 35 balloons. Debbie Spaeth, TDS Aviation Ltd., POB 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, 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. 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, Quebec
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. +351-2-5502994, fax +351-2-5502998 email 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 at the Coliseum in Rome on Sunday 7/12. Northern American contact Kathleen Anderson, Box 12, Site 2, RR#1, Cochrane, Alberta, T0L 0W0, Canada. 403-932-5729, email: kathleen@nimbusprojects.com