Do you have a balloon event you would like to list in the Balloon Life calendar? It's free! Just e-mail the details to Rindy Higgins
Balloon Life Calendar for last year, 2005
January
1 Johnston, OH New Year's Day Morning Flight, John Moran, 330-924-2677, john.moran@firstmerit.com, www.nobpa.com
17-18 Mesilla Valley, NM Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally,75 balloons, Janette Stone,5109 Hacienda, Las Cruces, NM 88011,505-382-5465,
February
3-5 Durango, CO SnowDown Balloon Rally, Invitational,35 balloons by invitation,sponsorships available,Beth LaShell,147 LaPlata View Dr, Durango, CO 81301,970-247-7189, blashell@compuserve.com,
3-5 Hudson, WI 17th Hudson Hot Air Affair balloon rally and winter festival,50 balloons,Hudson Hot Air Affair,PO Box 744, Hudson, WI 54016,888-247-2332, mcom@pressenter.com, www.hudsonhotairaffair.com
11-12 Rio Rancho, NM Friends and Lovers Hot Air Balloon Rally, Invitational,135+ balloons,Barbara Fricke,1209 Florida St SE, Albuquerque, NM 87110,505-265-2865, barbarafricke@msn.com
11 St.Helens, OR Safety seminar,Tim Gale,503-366-0608, tm_gale@yahoo.com www.wasballoon.org
15 Maryland Heights, MO Safety Seminar, analysis of 7 balloon accidents over this past year,register by Jan. 15,Mike Bien,1016 Greystone Manor Parkway, Chesterfield , MO 63005,636-519-8066 mbien@gaa.cc, www.gaa.cc
17-19 Charlotte, NC Hot Air Balloon Safety Seminar and Trade Show,The Carolinas Balloon Association,Marc Klinger,704-995-3005, safetyseminar@carolinasballoonassociation.com, www.carolinasballoonassociation.com
25 Cleaveland, GA Safety/Repair Seminar,free, open to HEAD balloon owners and operators, FAA certified repairmen,HEAD BalloonsPO Box 28, Helen, GA 30545706-865-3874 headballoons@worldnet.att.net
27-29 Phoenix, AZ Turf Paradise Balloon Classic,Turf Paradise Balloon Classic 15508 W Bell Rd Ste 101 PMB 523 Surprise AZ 85374,623-583-1314, www.turfparadiseballoonclassic.com
March
4 Des Moines, IA Iowa Safety Seminar,Michelle Rubin515-989-4034 or 515-556-3879 rubin3640@earthlink.net
5-7 Winthrop, WA Winthrop Flyout,Lori Kiesz,509-996-4115,
11 New Brunswick, NJ Great Eastern Balloon Association safety seminar,Rutgers University, www.gebaballoon.org/geba.htm
17-26 Macon, GA 24th Annual Macon Cherry Blossom Festival Cherry Blossom Festival BalloonFest,35 balloons,Cherry Blossom Festival,794 Cherry St., Macon, GA 31201,478-751-7429, cbf@cherryblossom.com, www.cherryblossom.com
18 Indianapolis, IN Safety Seminar, tony@barterindiana.com
18 Boise, ID Safety Seminar,Michael Lee,208-713-1173, Michael@flyingpie.com, www.hotairboi.org
19 Kent, OH NOBPA Safety Seminar, www.nobpa.com
19-20 Los Lunas, NM St Patrick's Rally,
May
12-13 Baltimore, MD Maryland Preakness Celebration,25 balloons, prizes,Terry, www.preaknesscelebration.org
12-14 Carthage, TX 2nd Celebration of Flight BalloonFest,20+ balloons, scholarship fundraiser for students wishing to attend Panola,Shelley Caraway,322 Knowles, Kilgore, TX 75662,903-986-0933, balloonist@peoplepc.com
12-14 Walla Walla, WA 31st Walla Walla Balloon Stampede, 33 balloons,compete for Rolex watchTammy Walker, Chamber of Commerce,PO Box 644, Walla Walla, WA 99362,509-525-0850, info@wwchamber.com , www.wwvchamber.com
26-29 Anderson, SC 25th Anniversary Pontiac GMC Freedom Weekend Aloft,100 balloons, cash and prizes,Keri Hall,1990 Augusta Street, Suite 202,Greenville, SC 29605,864-222-0051, Fwastaff@aol.com , www.freedomweekend.org
27-29 El Paso, TX TX - KLAQ Balloon Festival,75 balloons, Hare and Hound,, free propane, free hotel, first 50 to register get $50 show up fee,Joni915-727-5527, Joni@joniklaq@aol.com,
June
2-3 Helen, GA d Annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival,The South's oldest balloon event and the United States' only long distance hot air balloon race, 30 balloons,Barbara Gay, Catherine Cleinman or Sharon Walden at the Helendorf Inn at 706-878-2271 or Tarp Head at Head Balloons at 706-865-3874, http://home.att.net/~helenballoon/
2-4 Lake Skinner, CA Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival,30 balloons,909-676-6713, www.tvbwf.com
2-4 Amherst, MA 2nd Annual Amherst Experimental Balloon, Cloudhopper, & Airship Gathering,anything unique: experimental and ultralight, nonspectator, $50+ advance registration Dan Nachbar, 413-549-1321, registration@xlta.org http://www.xlta.org/
2-4 Essex Junction, VT 3rd Vermont Balloon & Music Festival,40 balloons, $7,500,Sally Mazzocchi,1140 Bloomfield Ave., Suite 209, West Caldwell, NJ 07006,973-882-5464, smazzocchi@balloonfestival.com, www.balloonfestival.com
2-4 Palestine, TX Heritage Balloon Festival, 35 balloons, Bob Redinger, 903-729-2066, prariepilot@ballooningmail.com
2-4 Manitowoc, WI Manitowoc Air Show & Balloon Rally,15,show up money,WindDancer Balloon Promotions,262-522-6675, wiwinddancer@cs.com
8-11 Ashland, KY SuperDave's 7th Annual Kentucky Fly In,David Lequire,606-928-4486, trans138@zoominternet.net, www.kyragwings.com
9 Danville, KY Great American Hot Air Balloon Race,20 balloons,$3,500,Rick Schoebel,2063 Shakertown Road,859-236-2711, hometownradio@bellsouth.net
9-11 Marysville, CA Golden West Fly-in Airshow, www.goldenwestflyin.org/gwaahome.shtml
9-11 Bend, OR Balloons Over Bend,20,Barbara Malcom,541-383-8268, barb@impressive-events.net, www.balloonsoverbend.com
9-11 Syracuse, NY 26th Annual Coors Light Balloon Fest,315-435-5252, jbeach@ongov.net , http://onondagacountyparks.com/balloonfest/
9-11 Cambridge, NY Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival,10 balloons,518-677-0887, www.cambridgenychamber.com
9-11 Springfield, MA 1st Big Y 70th Anniversary Balloon and Music Festival,50 balloons,7,500,Sally Mazzocchi,1140 Bloomfield Ave., Suite 209, West Caldwell, NJ 07006,973-882-5464, smazzocchi@balloonfestival.com, www.balloonfestival.com
16-18 York, PA York County Parks Balloon Festival,25-30 balloons,David Robinson,2291 Manor Rd, York, PA 17404,717-767-7744, wndjamr@aol.com, www.windjammerballoons.com
16-18 Tunkhannock, PA 2nd Annual Shadowbrook Inn and Golf Resort Hot Air Balloon Festival,15 balloons,Tony Saxton,570-945-3008, info@weflyhotair.com,
16-18 Quechee, VT 27th annual Hot Air Balloon Festival and Craft Fair,25 balloons,Bill Whidden,352-253-0031, whids@juno.com, www.quechee.com
16-18 Tigard, OR Tigard Festival of Balloons,30 balloons,Jim Smith,503-590-5250, pachigh@verizzon.net, www.tigardballoon.org
16-18 Foley, AL Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival,only balloon event on Alabama's Gulf Coast, 50+ balloons, $10,000 pole grab, dice roll for Dodge truck,Stephanie Evans,PO Box 1117,Foley, AL 36536,251-943-3291, stephanie@southbaldwinchamber.com, www.southbaldwinchamber.com
16-18 Muncie, IN Summer Heat, www.schultzairshows.com/muncie_main.htm
21-24 Boise, ID Boise Hot Air Balloon Rally, www.balloonshootout.com
23-25 Howell, MI Michigan Challenge Balloonfest,60 balloons,Howell Area Chamber of Commerce,517-546-3920, www.michiganchallenge.com
23-25 Hope, AR Balloons of Hope,Hope Fair Park,John Hays, 870-777-2363, Pat Rhoads 870-722-6915, Dave Phillips 870-722-8279,SJSPG, P.O. Box 2252, Hope, AR 71802-2252870-777-3640 jhays@fnb-hope.com,
23-25 Clinton, IA Balloons in June,35 balloons,Paul Schneider,563-242-9174, ecstasy@mcleodusa.net
23-25 Huntington, IN Heritage Days Balloonfest, www.huntington-chamber.com
30-July 2 Celina, TX Celina Balloon Festival,15 balloons, $3,000 prize money,Phillip Thompson,5123 W. 85th St. S. Tulsa, OK 74131,918- 227-1399, bpok@cox.net
July
1 Danville, IL Festival of Tees,10 balloons, small purse,Dean Carlton, dean@heritagedevelop.com
1-4 Driggs, ID Teton Valley Summer Festival,Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce,208-354-2500, www.tetonvalleychamber.com
1-4 Lisle, IL Eyes to the Skies Balloon Festival,25 balloons,847-516-2910, www.eyestotheskiesfestival.com
2-4 Lexington, VA Sunrise Rotary Balloon Festival,20 balloons,Bill Whidden,352-253-0031 whids@juno.com www.sunriserotarylexva.org/balloon
6-9 Hillsborough, NH Hillsborough Balloon Fest, hillsboroballoonfest@tds.net, www.balloonfestival.org/
7-9 Wausau, WI Wausau Balloon Rally,30 balloons, show-up $$,Steve Woller,150 S 84th Ave, Wausau, WI 54401,715-845-7005, wausauballoon@msn.com, weaver47@msn.com
14-15 Greenfield, MA 19th Green River Festival, http://www.greenriverfestival.com/about.html
14-15 Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee Air Show & Balloon Glow,10, show up money,WindDancer Balloon Promotions,262-522-6675, wiwinddancer@cs.com
14-16 Jackson, MI Hot Air Jubilee,70 balloons, $10,000,Dave Seekell,PO BOx 1838, Jackson, MI 49204,517-782-1515, www.hotairjubilee.com/
21-23 Goshen, IN Elkhart Co. 4-H Fair Balloon Chase,30 balloons, $3,000, largest county fair in Indiana,Gene Stutsman,802 S. Indiana Ave.,574-533-6110, balloon@maplenet.net
21-23 Kingsport, TN 25th Kingsport Fun Fest Balloon Rally,25 balloons,John A. Scott,2305 Netherland Inn Rd., Kingsport, TN,423-230-0654, jascott1@prodigy.net, www.funfest.net
21-23 Middletown, OH Ohio Challenge, www.ohiochallenge.com
21-23 Fayette, AL Balloon Blast,25 balloons, $6000,Phillip Thompson,5123 W. 85th St.South, Tulsa, OK 74131,918-227-1399, bpok@cox.net,
21-23 Waukesha, WI 12th Annual Waukesha Skyfest,30,$500++,WindDancer Balloon Promotions,262-522-6675, wiwinddancer@cs.com
28-30 Canton, OH 21st Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival Balloon Classic,65 balloons, team competition, $18,000,Chris Gumpp,222 Market Ave N,Canton, OH 44702,1-800-533-4302, chrisg@cantonchamber.org, www.profootballhoffestival.com
28-30 Readington, NJ 24th Quick Check New Jersey Festival of Ballooning,125 balloons, $15,000.Sally Mazzocchi,1140 Bloomfield Ave., Suite 209, West Caldwell, NJ 07006,973-882-5464, smazzocchi@balloonfestival.com, www.balloonfestival.com
28-30 Perry, NY Sea Serpent Balloon Fest,12 balloons,Tom and Mary Derenbacher,5960 Harter Road Dansville New York 14437,585-335-3868, fax 335-7309, 2tomd@frontiernet.net
28-30 Galesburg, IL Great Balloon Race,30 balloons,Greg Saul, cptfire@gallatinriver.net
28-Aug 5 Indianola, IA 37th National Balloon Classic,100 balloons,$20,000,Greg Marchant,PO Box 346 Indianola, IA 50125,1-800-FLYIOWA, info@nationalballoonclassic.com, www.nationalballoonclassic.com
August
4-6 Seymour, WI Seymour Hamburger Balloon Rally,25 balloons,Tom Wittman,205 W. Florida Ave., Appleton, WI 54911,920-993-6986, BumsInParadise@new.rr.com, www.BumsInParadise.com
4-6 Tulsa, OK Gatesway Balloon Festival,25 balloons, $6,000 prize money,prizes,Phillip Thompson,5123 W. 85th St. S. Tulsa, OK, 74131,918-227-1399, phillipt@cox.net
4-6 Cody, WY 11th Cody Wild West Balloon Fest,25-30 balloons, hound and hare, $500 pole grabJack Way,901 10th Street,Cody, Wyoming 82414,307-527-7424, jack.way@bresnan.net, www.codywyomingnet.com
11-13 Hartford, WI Hartford Balloon Rally,15, $500++,WindDancer Balloon Promotions,262-522-6675, wiwinddancer@cs.com
18-19 Madison, IN Madison Ribberfest Balloon Race,$5,000 plus $1,000 hare and hound,Madison Area Convention and Visitors Bureau,601 W First Street, Madison, IN 47250,812-265-2956, 800-559-2956, info@visitmadison.org, www.madisonribberfest.com
18-20 Acoma, NM Acoma Balloon Rally,20 balloons, jdmeisner@skycity,
18-20 Centralia, IL 17th Centralia Balloon Fest,40 balloons,Nancy Freels,888-533-2600 www.centraliail.com/
18-20 Auburn, ME 14th Great Falls Balloon Festival,35 balloons,800-639-6331, www.greatfallsballoonfestival.com
18-20 Findlay, OH 7th Flag City Balloon Fest,30 balloons, prizes $5,000+,Phil Clinger, Altitude Endeavors, Inc.,1255 Hunters Ridge, Battle Creek, MI 49017,269-969-1328, Phil@AltitudeEndeavors.com, www.FlagCityBalloonFest.com
25-27 Wisconsin Rapids, WI Children’s Miracle Network Balloon Rally & Music Fest,25 balloons,John Symonds,PO Box 271, Wis. Rapids WI 54495,715-423-8200, JSymonds@nashpodvinlaw.com, www.cmnballoonrally.com
25-27 Albany, OR Wah Chang Northwest Art & Air Festival,541-928-0911, www.albanyvisitors.com
25-27 Denver, CO Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival,60 balloons,Terry Smith,303- 697-1039, www.rockymountainballoonfestival.com
25-27 Lincoln, IL Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival,Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, www.lincolnillinois.com/balloonfest
26-27 Deming, NM Deming Balloon Rally,505- 546-3223, info@demingduckrace.com, www.demingduckrace.com
September
1-3 Danville, IL The Non-Event,16 balloons, no money-cost share,Dean Carlton, dean@heritagedevelop.com,
1-3 Seminole, OK Seminole Centennial BalloonFest,20 balloons, money prizes,Michael Scott,P.O. Box 57615 OKC, OK 73157,405-947-2782, spiritballoon@hotmail.com
1-4 Coeur d'Alene, ID Lake Coeur d'Alene Balloon Festival,20 balloons,208-667-2314, www.cdaballoonfest.com
1-4 Plymouth, IN Marshall County Blueberry Festival, www.blueberryfestival.org
2-4 Colorado Springs, CO Colorado Balloon Classic,100 + balloons,CO.'s largest,Sheila Stone,719-471-4833, balloonclassic@balloonclassic.com, www.balloonclassic.com
2-4 Colorado Springs, CO Colorado Balloon Classic,100 + balloons,CO.'s largest,Sheila Stone,719-471-4833, balloonclassic@balloonclassic.com, www.balloonclassic.com
8-10 Topeka, KS 31st Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally,30 balloons,Karl H. Fruendt,PO Box 1093, Topeka, KS, 66601-1093,785-554-2003 info@huff-n-puff.org, www.huff-n-puff.org
8-10 Reno, NV 25th Annual Great Reno Balloon Race,120 balloons, $20,000,GRBR,PO Box 12695, Reno, NV 89510,775-826-1181, www.renoballoon.com
8-10 Topeka, KS 31st Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally,30 balloons,proceeds benefit Topeka’s Ronald McDonald House,Karl H. Fruendt,PO Box 1093, Topeka, KS, 66601-1093785-554-2003, info@huff-n-puff.org, www.huff-n-puff.org
8-10 Bowling Green, KY Balloons, Tunes and BBQ,30, $10,000 prize money,Scott McClinton,4900 Olde Creek Way, Prospect, KY 40059,502- 228-8955, Skycabalon@aol.com, www.SkyCabBalloons.com
9 Valparaiso, IN Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, www.popcornfest.org
15-17 Faribault, MN Faribault Airfest Balloon Rally,40 balloons,Steve Sinnen,242 Minnesota St. S, Shakopee, Minnesota 55379 steve@mnvalleyballoons.com
16-17 Ravenna, OH Ravenna Balloon A-Fair,330-296-FAIR, info@ravennaballoonafair.com,
22-24 Prosser, WA The Great Prosser Balloon Rally,30 balloons,Kelly Carlson,1230 Bennett Ave. Prosser, WA 99350,509-786-4134, chairman@prosserballoonrally.org, http://www.prosserballoonrally.org/
22-24 N. Las Vegas, NV BalloonaPalooza,50 balloonsCity of North Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Department,4025 Allen Lane, North Las Vegas, NV 89032,702-633-2418, specialevents@cityofnorthlasvegas.com
22-24 Plano, TX ViewPoint Bank Plano Balloon Festival,85 balloons,Cathy Carter,3007 Raintree Dr.,972-979-1509, planopilots@sbcglobal.net www.planoballoonfest.org/
22-24 Montague, CA Montague Rotary Balloon Fair,35+balloons, prizes,David Herfindahl,530- 842-7079, www.montague-balloon-fair.com
22-24 Elko, NV Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival,44 balloons, prizes,Neil McQueary,1405 Idaho St., Elko, NV 89801,775-738-7135, chamber@elkonevada.com,
25-27 Wichita, KS AIAA 5th Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference and AIAA 16th Lighter-Than-Air Systems Technology and Balloon Systems Conference,Hyatt Regency Crystal City,703-264-7500, Fax: 703-264-7657, custserv@aiaa.org, http://www.aiaa.org/events/atio
29-Oct. 1 Louisville, KY Adam Matthews Balloon festival,Kentucky’s largest, 100 balloons, prizes, www.balloonglow.com/
October
6-15 Albuquerque, NM Albuquerque. Int'l Balloon Fiesta,750 balloons, prizes,Pat Brake or Pam McCarty,4401 Alameda NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113,888- 422-7277, www.aibf.org
20-22 Natchez, MS 20th Great Mississippi River Balloon Race,Natchez Visitor Reception Center,640 South Canal Street, Natchez, MS 39120,800-647-6724, www.natchezballoonrace.com
21-23 Boise, ID Wildhorse Balloon Bash, www.balloonshootout.com
27-29 Chandler, AZ Arizona Balloon Festival,races,480-963-8561, axballoonfest@cox.net, www.ArizonaBalloonFestival-Chandler.com
November
23 Danville, IL Les Nessman Memorial Turkey Drop,12 balloons, no money-bring own turkey,Dean Carlton, dean@heritagedevelop.com,
December
1-3 Gallup, NM 25th Annual Red Rock Balloon Rally,200+ balloons,Red Rock Balloon Rally Association,PO Box 2621, Gallup, NM 87305, www.redrockballoonrally.com
1-3 Battle Creek, MI 7th Anniversary Holiday Balloon Fest,72 balloons, $5,000 cash & prizes,Derrick Jones, Holiday Balloon Fest, Inc.,77 E. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49017,269-209-1792, www.holidayballoonfest.com
- end of event listings -