by John W. Fanning
The Great Southern Balloon Race!
What a name. A name like that has to generate interest at least and probably
nostalgia, romance and a picture of a sky full of balloons. On September
26 and 27 all these feelings and more came to life in Bartlett, Tennessee.
Bartlett has been hosting an Autumn Village Folk Festival for many years.
This year they wanted to add something different that would be of interest
to folks of all ages. What better than hot air balloons?
The local FOX TV station, FOX 13, took on the challenge and contacted the Memphis based Bluff City Aerostat Association about locating balloonists for the event. Jimmy Burkeen of the BCAA agreed to act as balloonmeister. Burkeen arranged for 12 standard shape balloons and The Space Shuttle balloon from Nassau Bay, Texas. Pilots representing Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas participated.
Friday night's planned flight was put on hold do to windy conditions. The winds calmed at dusk and the Space Shuttle received a big ovation when it stood up to start a balloon glow. Saturday morning saw the balloons flying into the field for the event's only competition flight. Saturday evening's winds, or lack of, had the balloons tethering on field and providing rides for the many spectators.
An estimated 20,000 people attended this free event. Don Rummell won first place and a Caribbean cruise. Danny Wilson was second winning a trip to the Bahamas. Mike Mills was third and a trip anywhere in the U.S. on Amtrak.
>