Angola Balloons Aloft adding attractions in 2014
Crowd-pleasing special shapes balloons, an educational display from NASA and paid balloon rides are some of the star attractions for this year’s Angola Balloons Aloft which will be celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2014.
Once again, Walt and Marsha Drewes are heading up the event committee and are directors for Balloons Aloft, which takes place in Angola, IN and features a hot air balloon competition that attracts pilots from across the Midwest and beyond.
This year’s event will be July 11-12 at Tri-State Steuben County Municipal Airport.
“This year’s program lineup will include one of the most popular balloon features to any event, The Bees. We are excited and delighted to be able to bring this much-coveted special shape balloon team to Balloons Aloft. Additional special shapes will be the returning Betty Jean Butterfly and new to Balloons Aloft, Scarecrow, an adorable bright yellow scarecrow shape,” Marsha said.
The Balloons Aloft Committee has been spending months preparing for the 2014 lineup for this premier community event.
“Similar to past events we will continue offering spectacular special shape and competition balloons, family fun and entertainment, free parking and free admittance to the grounds at the Tri-State Steuben County Airport,” Drewes said.
Parkview Health is again the main event sponsor.
Added features will be more family entertainment, a much larger classic car display and Yankee Air Museum’s Mitchell B-25, the Yankee Warrior. This World War II aircraft will be at the airport for two days, arriving Friday morning, July 11. The Yankee Warrior will be giving paid rides and tours throughout the day both days of the event.
Gentle Breeze Hot Air Balloon Rides has been hired and will be giving paid rides on a first come, first service basis on Friday and Saturday.
Gentle Breeze will be bringing its balloon, Tiny, which not so tiny after all; it is known as the largest balloon in Ohio, and doubles the size of any other balloon in the area. It is capable of carrying more than 4,000 pounds.
Walt Drewes said you can travel in comfort with the high-sided basket, featuring passenger handles and padding.
“Tiny is the safest balloon built with three Triple JetStream Series II burners,” he sasid.
Details on ride sales and departure times will be announced closer to the event.
Another new feature will be NASA Research Center’s “Journey to Tomorrow,” a traveling exhibit that will be stationed at the Tri-State Airport during the two-day event. This 53-foot trailer has been transformed into an interactive informal learning environment that brings the excitement of exploration in air and space. Admittance to the exhibit is free.
More updates and event details will be made in the coming months.
“Hope to see you there,” Marsha said.
via – The Herald Republican.