February
5-7 Palm Springs, California
Desert Sky Classic. 30+ balloons, $5,000 prize money. Contact Kim Lynch, North American Lighter Than Air Association, 30520 Rancho California Rd, Ste 107-214, Temecula, CA 92591, Ph 909-694-6289 email: dklynch@gte.net
March
13 Oakland, California
Safety Seminar with Ed Yost. FAA and FAA Wings. $50 includes dinner and literature. Contact Balloon Excelsior, 1241 High Street, Oakland, CA 94601, (510) 261-4222, email: balpub@vdn.com
May
1-2 Temecula, California
Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival. 50 balloons. Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival at (909) 676-6713.
June
5-6 Patterson, California
19th Patterson Apricot Fiesta. Contact Balloon Excelsior, 1241 High St, Oakland, CA 94601, phone 510-261-4222, email: balpub@vdn.com
September
4-5 Newman, California
Newman Fall Festival and 1999 California State Hot Air Championship. Contact Balloon Excelsior, 1241 High St, Oakland, CA 94601, phone 510-261-4222, email: balpub@vdn.com
10-12 Reno, Nevada
19th Annual Great Reno Balloon Race. 120 balloons. Contact Marlene Olsen, GRBR, PO Box 12695, Reno, NV 89510, (702) 826-1181.
October
15-17 Ridgecrest, California
Ridgecrest Balloon Festival. 50 balloons. $10,000 prize fund. Contact Rob or Jetta Schantz, Balloon Tour America, PO Box 51591, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240. 904-247-1241, email: balloonmeister@juno.com
December
4-6 Gallup, New Mexico
19th Annual Red Rock Balloon Rally. 75+ balloons. Copntact Red Rock Balloon Rally Association, PO Box 2621, Gallup, NM 87305.
5-6 Carlsbad, New Mexico
Third annual Holiday Balloonists Against Drunk Driving (BADD) Rally and Candle light Vigil Hosted by Eddy County Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Limited to 20 Balloons. Contact: Bob or Mak Walker, 1025 N. Halagueno, Carlsbad, NM 88220 (505) 887-0775
February
20 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Tri-Annual Safety Seminar hosted by the Oklahoma Windriders. One day, eight hour seminar, BFA approved core subjects. Contact Lynn Harris, email: lynnharris@worldnet.att.net
April
16-17 Tucson, Arizona
30+ balloons. Contact Kim Lynch, North American Lighter Than Air Association, 30520 Rancho California Rd, Suite 107-214, Temecula, CA 92591, Phone 909-694-6289, email: dklynch@gte.net
May
29-31 El Paso, Texas
14th Annual KLAQ El Paso International Balloon Festival. 50 balloons. Includes balloon glow, and International flight from Juarez, Mexico to El Paso. Contact Joni Superville at (915) 544-8864, fax (915) 532-6342 or write KLAQ, 4150 Pinnacle #120, El Paso, TX 79902.
July
16-18 Longview, Texas
The Great Texas Balloon Race XXI and Special Shape Championship. 85 balloons. $32,000 prize money, Sponsorships available for extra special shapes. Contact Elaine Reynolds, Longview Partnership, 410 N Center St., Longview, TX 75601, (903) 237-4000.
August
13-15 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Balloonfest '99, 50 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
17-19 Plano, Texas
20th 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
2-10 Albuquerque, New Mexico
28th Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. 850 balloons. Contact AIBF, 8309 Washington Place N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87113, (505) 821-1000. Internet: http://www.aibf.org/
January
23 Natchez, Mississippi
Pilot/Crew Hot Air Balloon Safety Seminar, "The Safety Rendezvous 99." Special program format covering safety aspects of ballooning, very special guest Don Piccard, plus more. Contact Carson Lane, 429 Kimmeridge Dr, Baton Rouge. LA 70815 or e-mail: kkards@iamerica.net
February
13 Madison, Alabama
Safely into the Next Millennium "core" safety seminar hosted by the Heart of Dixie Balloon Club. Don Piccard, Sid Conn, and many more speakers. Contact Jeff Maddox, POB 288, Madison, AL 35758, phone 256-461-9553, or email: balloon@apexfocus.com
18-19 Statesville, North Carolina
The Balloon Works' 26th Annual Seminar for Continued Airworthiness. Attendance limited to 35 participants. Contact Allison at The Balloon Works, 810 Salisbury Rd, Statesville, NC 28677 or call (704) 878-9501.
March
26-28 Macon, Georgia
17th Cherry Blossom Festival and BellSouth Mobility Balloon Fest. 37 balloons Contact Stephine Stottmann, Cherry Blossom Festival, 794 Cherry St., Macon, GA 31201, (912) 751-7429.
27-29 Conyers, Georgia
18th Annual Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival. 25+ balloons. Twenty miles east of Atlanta. Commercial balloons welcome. Contact Bob Tettman, AdVentures Aloft, POB 464246, Lawrenceville, GA 30042. 770-963-0149, email: adventuresaloft@ compuserve.com
27-28 DeLand, Florida
15th 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
9-11 Atlanta, Georgia
62nd 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, Lawrenceville, GA 30042. 770-963-0149, adventuresaloft@compuserve.com
16-18 Suffolk, Virginia
Suffolk Spring Spectacular and Balloon Fest. 80 balloons, key grab, $5,000 in prize money. Contact: Rene Meier at (804) 694-5800.
May
7-9 Live Oak, Florida
4th 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, email: balloonmeister@juno.com
28-31 Anderson, South Carolina
18th Annual Pontiac's 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
17-20 Greenwood, Mississippi
Greenwood Balloonfest '99. 80 balloons. Contact Mark Bowie, POB 1982, Greenwood, MS 38935. 601-455-4288, email: markbowie@microsed.com.
September
3-6 Shreveport, Louisiana
Red River Rally-Louisiana's high-flying family fun festival. Contact Glen Moyer, Red River Rally, 1550 Airport Dr. Ste 101, Shreveport, LA 71107, Phone 318-227-2559, email: glen@ redriverrally.com. Internet: http://www.redriverrally.com/
23-25 Augusta, Georgia
8th Annual Boshears Memorial Fly-In. 30 balloons. Contact David Fields, 1401 Waters Edge Dr, Augusta, GA 30901 Day 706-724-3543 Ext 222, eve 706-774-0085, e-mail: david@augustalimo.com
March
13 Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Great Eastern Balloon Association Safety Seminar. Montgomery County College Contact Al Dashevsky at 732-521-4440 or email: neonwind@ balloonist.com
June
11-13 Poughkeepsie, New York
8th Annual Great Hudson Valley Balloon Race. 35 balloons, 5 flights. Contact Bill Hughes, 246 Mountain Rd, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569, 914-635-2461, email: bhuges8@juno.com
25-27 Meadville, Pennsylvania
Thurston Classic. 35 balloons. Contact Joyce Stevens, 916 Diamond Park, Meadville, PA 16335, (814) 336- 4000.
July
23-25 Readington, New Jersey
17th 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
6-8 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
22nd Annual Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta. 25 balloons. Contact Kevin Poeppelman, 26809 Haines Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871, (301) 881-6262.
6-8 Binghamton, New York
Binghamton Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally. 40 balloons. Contact Dave Pessalro, PO Box 275 WVS, Binghamton, NY 13905, phone 607-761-2475
13-16 Shirley, New York
Waldbaum's Balloon Festival at Brookhaven Airport. Contact Ann Doyle, 1140 Bloomfield Ave #209, West Caldwell, NJ 07006. 973-882-5464 or fax 973-882-7961.
27-29 Baltimore, Maryland
Maryland State Fair Balloon Classic, 25 balloons and special shapes. Contact Kevin Poeppelman, 26809 Haines Rd, Clarksburg, MD 20871, 301-881-6262.
February
6-7 Holland, Michigan
6th Annual Trans-Michigan Balloon Race. One of a kind long distance race across Michigan. Contact Craig Elliott, 248-634-9400 or Marc Van Dis 616-335-3363.
March
5-7 Akron, Ohio
Balloonowledge '99 Safety Seminar &Trade Fair. Contact Beth Sullivan, 247 19th St NW, Canton, OH 44709. 330-453-2539, email: beths1207@aol.com
June
11-13 Danville, Illinois
13th 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
23-25 Holly, Michigan
7th Annual Seven Lakes State Park Balloon Race. Benifte for Childrens Miracle Network. 30 balloons Contact: Craig Elliott 248-634-9400.
August
13-15 Centralia, Illinois
10th Annual Centralia Balloon Fest 99. 45 balloons, $15,000 prize money. Balloonmeister Bob Corey. Contact Centralia CoC, 130 S Locut St, Centralia, IL 62801. (618) 532-6789.
July
29-Aug 1 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, email: balloonmeister@juno.com
August
27-29 Columbia, Missouri
2nd United States Cellular Balloon Classic, 35 balloons, $3,000 prize money, pole grab. Contact Janie Thomas, 5212 N Oakland Gravel Rd, Columbia, MO 65202. 573-474-9360.
September
4-6 Colorado Springs, Colorado
22nd Annual Colorado Springs Balloon Classic with 120 balloons. Patsy Buchwald, 328 Bonfoy Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. 719-471-4833, email: balloonclassic@kktv.com
18-19 Pine Bluffs, Wyoming
Limited to 20 balloons. Special shapes welcome. Travel money, hotel, propane, and lots of fun. Contact Dick Atkins email: dicky_doo@juno.com
April
16-18 Canowindra, Australia
Marti's Canowindra Balloon Fiesta. Chris Mulligan, PO Box 89, Canowindra, 2804 N.S.W., Australia. Phone +(02) 6364-0211, Fax +(02) 6364-0300.
June
11-13 West Sussex, UK
4th annual Parham Park Balloon Fiesta & Oldtimers Balloon Meet. In conjunction with South of England's largest Steam and Vintage vehicle weekend. Contact Bob Kent, 44 Shadwells Rd, Lancing, West Sussex, BB15 9EW, UK, email: bpg@mistral.co.uk