Hot air balloon makes unexpected landing

A hot air balloon offering a morning ride to an elementary school principal and teacher ended up making a quick landing in an expected place -- the parking lot of an Evans senior retirement community.

The Rising Star hot air balloon, piloted by Manning Bowie, of Martinez, landed just after 9 a.m. in a narrow lot between two buildings at Washington Commons, off Washington Road.

“We were aiming for Mullins Crossing, the Target shopping center, or Academy Sports, but the wind just kind of turned us.”

Mr. Bowie’s two passengers, South Columbia Elementary School principal Lisa Reeder and third grade teacher Carole Prescott said they enjoyed the ride and unexpected landing.

“It was amazing” Ms. Reeder said. “It was the most gentle ride I could have ever imagined.”

The balloon was launched from the front lawn of the school in Martinez as a celebration for students who met their goal in the school’s Red Hot Reader program.

Ms. Prescott was surprised by the flight invitation as the teacher with the most class participation in the program.

The launch has been tentatively planned for weeks, with several delays due to windy conditions, Mr. Manning said.

“We usually fly two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset because that is when the winds are the calmest,” Mr. Manning said. The launch was a little later than his normal flights.

But Ms. Prescott and Ms. Reeder enjoyed the 30-minute flight over about a mile.

Mr. Manning said as the pilot, he can control the balloon’s vertical movement, but winds carry it horizontally. When winds didn’t cooperate with a landing at Mullins Crossing, Taylor BMW dealership or Academy Sports, Mr. Manning took the opportunity and gently set the balloon in the Washington Commons lot.

He avoided second story buildings, power lines and tall trees.

Though Ms. Reeder said she grazed the pine tree tops with her fingers as the balloon lowered for landing.

“The wind,” Ms. Prescott said, “we ended up where the wind took us and our pilot.”

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Students take "cheesy" hot air balloon course

CHARLOTTE COUNTY: Some Southwest Florida high school students got a break from the classroom for a chance to learn about hot air balloons.

A balloon crew traveling the country this spring on behalf of a cheese company stopped at Port Charlotte High School Friday to teach "Hot Air Balloon 101."

Aeronautical students at the high school got a first-hand lesson in the world's oldest flying method.

"We teach them about propane gas, this is gas under pressure," said Karen Candiani, Director of the Charlotte County Aerospace Institute.

"I think they're most impressed with the flames, the sound and scope of the burner. It's a very impressive display," said pilot Rebecca Elkins.

But it's cold air from a fan that really gets the giants ready to fly.

"I thought they stood it up somehow and then put in hot air. I never knew they used regular cold air," said student Don Hoskins.

The students were excited to see the balloon get into the air on Friday. But because of the windy conditions, it couldn't happen.

"You have an aircraft here that does not have steering, does not have brakes and does not have landing gear. So, we're very particular about weather conditions," Elkins said.

The pilots from Beemster Cheese hot air balloon will bring their aviation lessons to just 40 schools around the nation.

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Hot air balloons custom

A unique and spectacular Easter custom has been revived in the small town of Leonidio in Arcadia Prefecture, southern Greece.

At the stroke of midnight on Easter Sunday, the sky will be lit up by hundreds of multicolored hot air balloons that will offer a captivating spectacle as they rise into the horizon for 30-40 minutes before burning out or disappearing over the sea or the nearby forest.

They are handmade by the local people and the town's five parishes compete with each other to keep up in the air as many balloons as possible for the longest period of time.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photograph of the Easter Sunday midnight mass in the town of Leonidio, Peloponnese

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Taking special kids to new heights

WATSONVILLE -- From taking to the skies to performing in their own rock bands, youth with special needs did not have any boundaries on Saturday during the fifth annual Day in the Sky event at Watsonville Municipal Airport.

Throughout the day, Shared Adventures, a Santa Cruz nonprofit that offers disabled people opportunities for social interaction and recreation, and the Experimental Aircraft Association of Watsonville gave an estimated 200 airplane and helicopter rides to nearly 750 kids with disabilities.

After attending a brief pre-flight school session to learn basic aviation principles before flying, each special-needs child was encouraged to take the aircraft controls for a short time during the flight.

Ellen Hovey of Santa Clara said for her 9-year-old son, Jeremy, who has Down syndrome, taking controls of an airplane was something that he will never forget.

"This is his second Day in the Sky now. But the first time he went up, he just beamed after," Hovey said. "It's an opportunity for him to do something that he might never otherwise get to do. Last, time we took photos of him flying to his school and his friends just said 'whoa dude!' It was great."

Erica Diaz of Capitola said she has taken flight two times now.

"The view was beautiful today," said Diaz, an 18-year-old student in Shared Adventures' Young Artists Studio. "My favorite part today was when they played the song 'Imagine' by John Lennon."

During the event, The Magic Makers Band, a group of young men and women with special needs from Santa Clara, covered Beatles tunes in the afternoon. Also taking the stage were Angels on Stage, a nonprofit that supports children with differing abilities in performing an annual musical theater.

Day in the Sky event director Dean McCully said he hopes seeing the acts on stage will inspire others to pursue whatever they aspire to.

"It really is incredible what we have seen here at this event," McCully said. "We've had non-verbal kids start talking while in flight and then become silent as soon as they land. The whole goal of this event is to hook up local groups with families and bring their energy to each other. There are a lot of opportunities out there."

Shared Adventures founder Foster Andersen, a quadriplegic survivor of a spinal cord injury, said the event doubled in size since last year.

"I'm dumbfounded. It wouldn't happen without the hard work of our 280 volunteers and the 70 registered pilots that give rides to these kids," Andersen said. "We aim to do something different so that the kids can know that they can do it, surpassing some of their peers who are not challenged."

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Small town, big adventure in Winthrop, WA

Lately, we Seattleites have just about had it with the snow for one season. So last weekend, I headed east of Seattle on the other side of the Cascades to…well, more snow. But since I was on a weekend getaway and didn’t have to navigate freeways and steep downtown hills, I didn’t mind it. In fact, the only traffic I did run into was deer crossing at what seemed like every turn.
Five hours northeast of Seattle and nestled in the Methow (pronounced “met how”) Valley is the sleepy little town of Winthrop, WA. I went for the annual Winthrop Balloon Round-Up, which is held every year during the first full weekend in March. Hot Air Balloonists from all over the Pacific Northwest come to Winthrop to launch their brightly colored novelties over the beautiful valley. On Saturday night of the Round-Up, head to the main square in town for the Balloon Glow, where all the balloons are “parked” and their pilots light up the balloons all at once. It really is a unique sight, not to mention the warm glow from all those propane tanks going on at once. Morning Glory Balloon Tours offer daily balloon rides year round.

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Balloon promoters seek site

MARSHALL -- Promoters of a national hot air balloon championship plan to hold the event at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds, although the fair president said Friday a deal is not final.


"They have talked to us, but nothing has been set," Charles Letts, president of the 15-member fair board, said. "We have had some conversations and there are a lot of things that we don't have answers to and we don't even know all the questions."

The Balloon Federation of America announced Thursday its plans to host the 2009 U.S. Nationals Hot Air Balloon Championships Aug. 26-30, and Derrick Jones of Battle Creek, one of the organizers, said the fairgrounds is the top choice.

"We have some alterative sites, but we don't have any intention to entertain them," he said Friday.

Jones, executive director for the past 10 years for the Holiday Balloon Fest in Battle Creek, is scheduled to meet Monday with the fair board to discuss a proposal although Letts said he doesn't expect a final decision then.

"Before we make a decision, we will have to have a lot of questions answered and right now there are a zillion questions," he said.

Letts said one consideration is not harming Battle Creek's Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival scheduled for July 1-5 at W.K. Kellogg Airport. The Field of Flight and the Holiday Balloon Fest are separate events.

"I would like to see a show here, but we don't want to see it jeopardize their event," he said. "We are too close a community to be hurting each other."

Jones said that is one reason organizers of the national championship selected Marshall.

Assuming a deal can be reached in Marshall, Jones said it could be the first of two or three years the BFA will hold the nationals at the fairgrounds. And the organization has sent a letter of intent to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, the balloon governing body, and expects to bid on hosting the 2012 World Championships.

The world championships have been held in Battle Creek three times -- in 1981, 1985 and 1995.

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Win a champage flight in a hot-air balloon

THERE will be an opportunity to get a view of Henley from the air thanks to one of the sponsors of this year’s Le Cordon Bleu Henley Food Festival.

Champagne Taittinger is offering Henley Standard readers the chance to win two prizes of a balloon flight in the Taittinger hot-air balloon on the morning of the first day of the festival, Saturday, May 16.

Each prize includes a flight for two people at 6.30am, plus two tickets for the festival, a glass of Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs and light refreshments on landing. Each winner will also receive a signed certificate.

If the flight is not possible due to bad weather, a magnum of Taittinger will be sent to each winner instead. To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is send a postcard or sealed envelope with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Balloon competition Henley Standard, Caxton House, Station Road, Henley, RG9 1AD by the closing date of Friday, May 1. The winners will be the first two people whose entries are drawn out of the hat.

Only one entry per person is allowed and entrants must be over 18 and resident in the UK.

The balloon carries four people and the pilot and two other passengers may be included on the winner’s flight. Winners must adhere to any conditions, rules and regulations set out by the pilot. The pilot reserves the right to postpone a flight if he or she deems it unsuitable to fly. You must not fly if you are suffering from a serious medical condition or have recently undergone surgery unless you have a certificate of your fitness to fly from your doctor. You must not fly if you are pregnant or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Insurance for the flight is included in the prize. Winners will be returned to the balloon site after the flight.

Winners will be notified by May 8. No cash alternatives will be offered. Employees and their immediate families of Hatch Mansfield, Champagne Taittinger, the Henley Standard and anyone directly connected with this promotion are excluded from participating. All normal Henley Standard rules apply. To see them, visit www.henleystandard.co.uk

The Standard is a silver sponsor of the food festival.

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Hot Air Balloons At E.S. Good Barn Field

It's was quite a spectacle near UK's Commonwealth Stadium, Friday night.

Fifteen hot air balloons covered the grounds at the E.S. Good Barn Field. It was all for the annual "Balloon Glow Field Party." It's part of the "Little Kentucky Derby" which is a student-organized event put on this week by the University of Kentucky.

The balloons didn't fly tonight, but they did put on a show.

The little kentucky derby tradition began in the 1950s, continuing until the '80s when it was cut due to budgetary reasons. It came back in 2006, with a balance of new and time-honored traditions; including the Balloon Glow.

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Hot-air balloon ride – at 81

SYLVIA WARD has finally had her experience of a lifetime – a year later than planned.

Her daughter bought her a flight in a hot-air balloon for her 80th birthday in January 2008.

But each time she tried to take off, the flight was cancelled because of bad weather.

But she finally had her chance to fly last month at the age of 81.

“I was beginning to think it wasn’t going to happen,” said Sylvia, who lives in Beddau.

She travelled to Biggleswade, near her daughter Jan’s home in Aylesbury, for the flight.

“Whenever I’ve seen hot-air balloons over Jan’s house, I’ve said I’d love to do that, it must be a wonderful feeling.

“The family picked up on that and I found the ticket for my balloon ride in my Christmas cracker, just before my birthday.”

On the day of the balloon flight, Sylvia still couldn’t believe it was happening.

“I went 1,000ft in the air, but I had no feeling of movement because it was so smooth – it’s similar to the feeling in a plane but you’re in the open air,” said Sylvia, who has three children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

“One of the things I found amazing was looking down at the trees and all the birds were way below me.”

But adventurous Sylvia won’t be attempting a parachute jump for her next birthday.

“I’ve told Jan I’m not doing anything as daring as this. She suggested wing walking and I said no – definitely not.”

Sylvia and the other 15 balloon passengers were treated to a Champagne reception when they landed.

“We were presented with a certificate signed by Richard Branson, which was wonderful,” she added. “Everyone was full of beans because it was such a brilliant experience.”

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Hot-air balloon, elections among action for co-op

The annual meeting for Ark Valley Electrical Cooperative on Tuesday night at the Sunflower North Building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds attracted about 600 members in attendance. A hot-air balloon belonging to Touchstone Energy Cooperatives - a nationwide alliance of electric cooperatives of which Ark Valley is a member - greeted consumers at the meeting.

Consumers elected one new board member, Steve Shweizer, and re-elected Paul Penner, whom board members chose in a meeting afterward to serve as president of the board.

About 550 consumers at the meeting ate a dinner of beef and smoked pork catered by Ray's Country Catering of Colwich. Forty-four door prizes were given away.

The board, composed of seven members, also elected the following officers: John Steffen as vice president of the board, Steve Goering as treasurer, and Charles Gabehart as secretary.

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Hot air balloon set to draw in the crowds at Cricklade Festival

A HOT air balloon ride will be the main attraction at the Cricklade Town Festival which organisers confirmed this week will go ahead for its fourth consecutive year.
The festival will have an Around The World In 80 Days theme this year, with visitors able to get a bird’s eye view of the town from the hot air balloon which will be tethered to St Sampsons Junior School field.
The previous festivals, which have had circus, wild west and medieval themes, attracted thousands of visitors to the town centre.
Nigel Wynne, chairman of the festival committee, said: "It will be a truly international day, with music, dance and entertainment from all corners of the globe.
"This will be a truly unique chance to take a 100ft high trip in a tethered hot air balloon. We’ll be asking for a charitable donation towards the running of the festival in order to secure a place.
"We also hope to have some truly international dance troupes but these plans are still underway.
"If you are a local company or organisation and you would like to see the festival continue, please consider a contribution this year."

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Hot air balloon fest photo contest

COSHOCTON - Details for the 2009 Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival Photo Contest have been finalized.

Camera buffs from around the state are invited to enter their best photo or photos featuring hot air balloons. The Balloon Festival, which is hosted by the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Frontier Power Company, will be held June 5-7, at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds.

Nina Drinko, chairperson of the photo contest, has announced the following guidelines:

# All photographs must be submitted by the original photographer, along with name, address, phone number and category.

# Photos must be 5"x7", matted or mounted with a white border or background only and can not exceed 8" x 10" including border.

# Photos may be original prints or enhanced photos and will be judged separately.

# Entry deadline is 4 p.m. May 6.

# An individual may submit up to three photos per category but may not win more than one award per category aside from the People's Choice Award.

# Photographs must be in color and may be taken from areas other than Coshocton.

# By entering the contest, photographers agree to have their submitted photograph displayed or printed in the 2010 calendar without fee or other compensation.

A panel of three judges will select first, second and third place winners in each category. The general public will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite photo to select one People's Choice Award. Contest winners will be announced just prior to the evening balloon launch on Saturday, June 6.

Entries can be mailed or delivered to: Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce, 401 Main Street, Coshocton, OH 43812.

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Hot-air balloonists will try again Sunday

Colorful hot-air balloons are scheduled to brighten the sky around The Ranch on Sunday.

At least 17 balloon pilots from around the region, and possibly more, will launch their balloons at 7 a.m., weather permitting.

The gathering of balloonists is the rescheduled Sweetheart Balloon Rally, which was grounded two days in February by bad weather.

Residents are invited to visit The Ranch for free and watch as the balloons lift off, then float in the sky above Loveland.

The Kiwanis Club will serve a pancake breakfast, starting at 6:30 a.m., for $6.

While organizers are hoping for beautiful flying weather, they have scheduled an alternate date, April 26, in the event of wind, fog, rain or snow.

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Ballooning fun at Somerlea Park school

AIR travel was the theme of the day for children from Somerleas Park Junior School in Somercotes when they made their own hot air balloons.
Every class had a different theme as part of design technology week with children from year four investigating air travel and year five looking at music production.

Clare Butler, deputy head teacher at the school, said: "One of the areas we focused with was the making and release of hot air balloons. Children made their own balloons as well as helping make two giant balloons from tissue paper and glue. It got very messy.

"The balloons went up 30 feet and came back down. The children found it very exciting and absolutely loved it."

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Balloon crash survivor a 'miracle'

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The lone survivor of a hot air balloon crash last year is being called a miracle.

According to Keith Sproul, his doctors said he shouldn't be alive and that his positive attitude has helped in his recovery.

Sproul fell from the gondola when his hot-air balloon crashed into power lines during last year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Sproul said he broke a leg, foot, hip, pelvis and seven ribs. He also suffered a damaged spinal cord and collapsed and punctured lungs.

Sproul was brought to the intensive care unit at a local hospital. He woke up a month later and took his first baby steps last month.

He's had nine surgeries since his accident.

"I don't remember the accident but I've been told what happened," said Sproul.

Last October, witnesses — including Sproul's wife — watched as the pilot and his friend, Steven Lachendro, fell out of the gondola.

Lachendro died at the scene.

He was from Pennsylvania.

"We saw the man fall out of the balloon lifeless," Nicole Grant told News 13 at the time. "We were screaming, 'Help him, help him.'"

Sproul said the wind was bad that day.

"At his (Lachendro's) funeral... the children said, 'Our father was doing what he loved best he had a fantastic flight he had a bad landing keep on flying,'" Sproul said. "That's what I want remembered."

In fact, Sproul said he's planning to fly again soon and he hopes people visit this year's Balloon Fiesta with the same attitude.

Sproul said he registered for this year's Balloon Fiesta the first day he could and is already planning on building his next hot-air balloon.

"The balloonists that ask, 'Are you going to fly again?' ... They expect an answer of yes," said Sproul. "Non-balloonists get a little bit surprised, but get back on the horse as soon as you can."

Sproul is from New Jersey, and said he may stick around Albuquerque even after he's discharged later this month.

He has been flying hot air balloons for about a decade and has so far built four hot-air balloons.

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Hot-Air Balloon Buck

-- On Nov. 2 several seasons back, a friend and I took off to the woods for an afternoon bowhunt. We had access to a 1,500-acre farm in Oldham County, Kentucky, which is known for holding big bucks.

Earlier that morning, we hunted this same farm, and I left my Summit climbing stand on a tree. That afternoon, I moved it down a ridge where I had been seeing some good action on previous hunts. As I got situated, I glanced up the ridge to where my stand had been. A giant buck was eating acorns under my old tree!

I watched as the deer began to come my way, but at 70 yards, he decided to take a nap. I had to calm down and take inventory of what I could do to draw the buck closer. It was early in the afternoon, and I had the wind in my favor, so I decided to sit it out.

About an hour later, I began to get a bit nervous and wondered if I would get a shot at this monster. Just as I started to get desperate, I heard a loud “whoosh” from behind my stand. Startled, I looked around but saw nothing. A few seconds later, I heard the same sound.

Just then my buddy Andy got on the radio and asked if I had heard the noise. I said yes, but didn’t know what it was. Again, the sound came, but this time my buck jumped up and was getting nervous.

Just about the time I was going to leave the stand, I noticed a hot air balloon lifting from a cut cornfield about 200 yards distant. As the balloon rose, it began to drift my way. Each time the operator hit the gas, the buck moved, but in the wrong direction. Finally the balloon passed right over the buck and sent him my way. I took aim at 30 yards and made a perfect shot. The deer piled up at 30 yards.

Needless to say, I now love hot air balloons and believe that everybody should hunt with one!

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What's new at Legoland for 2009

“You’re only as good as your last thrill ride” is a mantra that theme park owners must curse. They know they constantly have to innovate or face a drop-off in visitors tempted away by other parks offering the world’s highest this or the world’s scariest that.
Legoland in Windsor is only too aware of that. Not satisfied with having launched a whole new "land" last year – the Land of the Vikings – the park is spending £3 million this year on its new Kingdom of the Pharaohs. KOTP is based on Lego’s mini character Johnny Thunder, an archeologist-adventurer with more than a passing resemblance to Indiana Jones, even down to the fedora and khaki shirt.
The new land has five new rides between Lego City and the Land of the Vikings in an area that used to house a circus tent.
In Laser Riders, visitors sit in one of ten specially constructed Jeeps and pass through various scenes, including a spider’s lair and a laboratory, using laser guns to shoot as many targets as possible

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Easter eggs to drop from hot air balloon at fairgrounds

The sky is falling, the sky is falling! In the case of Chicken Little, it was nothing more than a single acorn that fell on her head and created such hysteria.

But on Good Friday, Apr. 10, the Milton Fair Grounds will be the scene of thousands of plastic eggs falling from the sky in one of Milton’s first family events of the season.

At 10 a. m. sharp, 2,500 eggs will drop from a tethered hot air balloon rising more than 50 feet above the fairgrounds.

After the eggs fall, kids watching the spectacle from behind a roped-off area will be allowed onto the field to gather up the colourful eggs. The eggs will contain tickets that can be redeemed for free candy and chocolate. The tickets will then be entered in a draw for various prizes.

“We hope to create a new Easter tradition for families here in Milton,” said Rob Stanley, lead pastor at the Village Community Church, which is putting on the event.

Although all ages are welcome, it’s catered to kids in up to Grade 5.

After the drop, from just after 10 a. m. until noon, there’ll be free hot air balloon rides.

To round out the event, there’ll be coffee for the parents as well as snacks, balloons and face painting.

Kids will have a chance to visit with a clown or check out the fire truck that’ll be on-site, Stanley said.

Of course, part of the event — dropping the eggs from the hot air balloon — will be dependent on weather conditions. Stanley said a “plan B” is in place in case it’s too windy for the balloon to go up.

For more information, visit www.miltoneggdrop.ca .

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Hot Air Balloon Pilots Instruct Children to Follow Their Dreams at The Academy of Our Lady of Peace

The dreams of some New Providence children took flight April 3, with the arrival of a very unique hot air balloon demonstration. Although rain poured on and off during the day, hot air balloon pilots Rebecca and Jerry Elkins were able to continue with their presentation as they partially inflated a hot air balloon for the children of The Academy of Our Lady of Peace to admire inside the gymnasium.

Shortly after, Rebecca brought the children together for a presentation on the creative and scientific side of hot air ballooning. The students were able to learn that in order to make your dreams come true, one should know how to be cautious and respectful, be literate, healthy and never abuse drugs.

Rebecca, who was once employed as a teacher, tailors the program to demonstrate how important those skills and traits are for pilots and anyone who wants to pursue a rewarding career.

New Providence is one of 40 schools Rebecca and Jerry will visit in nine states, for an eight-week tour. "As a teacher, I find that aviation has applications across the board to any area of study such as reading, science, health and even creative arts." The couple, who hail from Eureka, Nevada, has been doing this program for 20 years.

The sponsor, Beemster, a producer of premium Dutch cheese, launched the 2009 USA Hot Air Balloon School Tour at no cost to participating schools. Typically, each school assembly would cost roughly $3,000.

School Principal Thomas Berrios was impressed with the professionalism of the company and its dedication to promoting education. "I was disappointed it rained, because it would’ve been great to see the balloon inflated outdoors; but it worked out," Berrios said. "The fact that she (Rebecca) tied everything into what the students are learning is wonderful."

Both Rebecca and Jerry say the job never gets old for them, as they continue to have a passion for hot air balloon piloting. "When I look at the hot air balloons through the eyes of an eight-year-old, it all comes back to me," Rebecca said. "Doing these presentations makes it fresher for me and reminds me of how it was 20 years ago, when I first started."

Rebecca and Jerry are both fully licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "Hot air balloon pilots have to follow the same set of laws as pilots in the airports because those laws are in place to minimize risk," she said. "These balloons do not have brakes or a steering wheel, so we are subject to the whims of Mother Nature."

In her 20 years of hot air balloon piloting, Rebecca has never been in an accident. The most dangerous situation a hot air balloon pilot can encounter, she said, is a power line strike.

The children, who were able to take a stroll inside the balloon and touch a statue of the Beemster mascot, Betty the blue cow, shared their enthusiasm throughout. "It was exciting to see that you put fire into it and that makes it float," student Michelle Maida said. "It was a lot of fun to walk through the balloon," student Melissa Mahoney said after the presentation.

All the students were led back to their classrooms with a project assigned by Rebecca -- design your own hot air balloon. One student excitedly said he would design one resembling Pikachu, a character from a popular cartoon series, Pokemon.

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Hopes remaining high for balloon launch

Call him the eternal optimist, but Eric Turner is hoping against hope the winds die down and the hot air balloons can lift off as planned Saturday morning to kick off the fourth annual Fool's Cup weekend.

"If it stays like it was this morning, we should be able to get the balloons off at dawn," said Turner, director of Plainview's Main Street/Convention and Visitors Bureau. "They're going to have to get up and out."

While high winds are expected today and Saturday, Turner hopes there's enough of a reprieve around 7:30 a.m. Saturday that the dozen or so balloons expected from Lubbock and Amarillo will have a chance to lift off from Runningwater Draw Regional Park.

Even if the hot air balloons are grounded, however, the rest of the day's activities -- most of which are scheduled near Kidsville -- should go on as planned. There's lots to choose from, including golf, a singing contest, triathlon, car show, dog contest, fly-in and lots of food including breakfast and a chili cookoff.

"It's going to be breezy, but everything will still be going on," said Turner. "There could be some very long drives at the golf tournament, or some very short ones."

Fool's Cup events actually get rolling tonight when Pitch-In Plainview hosts a spaghetti supper from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Rotary Building in the park located behind the YMCA. The dinner includes spaghetti, salad, toast, veggies, dessert and drink for a $5 donation. Take-out plates are available.

Also tonight, Plainview Christian Academy hosts its second annual benefit dinner and auction at the Laney Center on the Wayland campus. Ticket sales to that event are sold out.

Before and after the scheduled hot air balloon launch at dawn Saturday, breakfast will be served by the Rotary Club and HCSB.

A balloon release remembering those affected by cancer and sponsored by Junior American Cancer Society and the city's Youth Advisory Commission will be held shortly after dawn.

One of the premiere Fool's Cup attractions is the Kiwanis Club-sponsored, sanctioned chili cookoff, which also features beans, fajitas and ribeye. While some two dozen cooking teams from throughout the area will be competing for prizes, the public can sample all the food for $5 per plate.

Cargill is donating 21-day aged prime rib for that event.

As part of the cookoff, five local groups will compete for the second annual Golden Ladle Award. The Lions Club will defend its ladle against challenges from the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Soroptimist Club and Knights of Columbus.

Also on tap is KKYN's Colgate Plainview's Got Talent music contest in which area talent compete for a chance to move onto the next round. The Lions Club is staging its Hot Wheels Car and Motorcycle Show with "Pride of Plainview," and the Hale County Literacy Council will put Mutt Strut '09: Paws for Reading from 2-4 p.m.

Categories include cutest and ugliest dog under and over 20 pounds, best trick and kiss, pet and parent look-a-like and best-dressed dog. Entry fee is $3 per category or $15 for all. Dogs must be at least 10 weeks old and registered by 1:50 p.m.

At Plainview Municipal Golf Course, RSVP will host a golf tournament at which "LAUGH" rules apply. For more information call the pro shop at 296-6148.

Over at the Plainview-Hale County Airport, Rocket Aviation will host the West Texas 100 Air Race and fly-in, and Covenant Hospital Plainview will sponsor an Easter egg hunt starting at 11 a.m. on the hospital's east lawn. Kids under 10 are welcome.

Turner said the first Fool's Cup Triathlon, beginning at the YMCA, is shaping up to be a tremendous success. The children's (ages 14 and up) portion of the triathlon -- consisting of a 100-meter swim, two-mile bike ride and one-mile run -- will be from 9-10 a.m. The adult division -- consisting of a 200-meter swim, five-mile bike race and two-mile run -- is from 10-11 a.m.

Cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children. Team entries are available. Entry includes a T-shirt and finisher medal. For more information go to www.plainviewymca.org or call 293-8319.

Also at the Y, a health fair will be held from 1-4 p.m., in conjunction with Healthy Kids Day, an hk2020 event. Activities, which are free, will include an obstacle course, relay races, fun run, face painting, health fair, Cardio Kids class and more. For more information contact Jennifer Rankin at 293-2319 or visit www.plainviewymca.org.

On Saturday evening, a Senior Art Exhibition will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Wayland's Abraham Art Gallery. Also, "The Burning: A Theatrical Exploration into the Nature of Creation," a student-written, directed and choreographed production at Wayland, will be performed at 8 p.m. today and Saturday at Wayland's Trinity Building, Ninth and Utica. Admission is $4 for WBU students and $6 for the public.

The Fair Theatre is hosting two events this weekend.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, Jimmy Burson of Silverton, a country, cowboy and western swing singer, will perform. Tickets, available at the door, are $10.

Winding down the weekend at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Fair is an area Prayer and Praise Rally hosted by Pray Plainview. Anyone concerned about our nation and economy is invited. For information call 293-3644.

Turner said proceeds from most of the weekend events support local charities through various organizations.

For general information about Fool's Cup events, call 296-1119.

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Rock-Pop Stars Kelley, Cabrera To Perform May 2 At Balloon Festival

DNK Records recording artist Josh Kelley and Papa Joe Records recording artist Ryan Cabrera will headline a free concert at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Centennial Era Balloon Festival presented by AT&T Real Yellow Pages at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Saturday, May 2.

Kelley and Cabrera, pop/rock sensations who kick off their "Tell It Like It Is" tour of the United States April 15, will play the Coke Zero Music Stage in the Pagoda Plaza. Opening acts will be Brandon Whyde and Australia natives The Kin.

Kelley, a native of Augusta, Ga., released three studio albums in 2008, with "Special Company," the acoustic "Backwoods" and "To Remember," sold exclusively by retailer Target. His hit singles include "Amazing," which debuted on his 2003 album "For the Ride Home" and landed on the soundtrack of the movie "Raising Helen," starring Kate Hudson. Kelley also earned acclaim for the hit single "Only You" from his August 2005 release "Almost Honest."

Cabrera, a Dallas native, scored top-20 hits with "True" and "On the Way Down" from his major-label debut "Take It All Away" in 2004. His latest album, "The Moon Under Water," was released in May 2008.

The concert will be part of an unforgettable evening - and weekend - of family-friendly entertainment as The Racing Capital of the World celebrates its balloon-racing heritage with the Centennial Era Balloon Festival presented by AT&T Real Yellow Pages. The first competitive event of any kind at IMS was a gas-filled balloon race on June 5, 1909 - a full two months before the 2.5-oval was completed.

Saturday evening's schedule kicks off at 6 p.m. when the public gates open and AT&T Real Yellow Pages collectible balloon trading pin giveaways get underway. Wine tasting courtesy of Oliver Winery also opens at 6 p.m.

Following the Kelley/Cabrera concert, numerous colorful hot air balloons will inflate at 8 p.m. for a beautiful balloon "glow" as dusk settles over IMS. Balloons will remain tethered while the pilots shoot flame into the balloons, lighting up the balloons and the sky in a colorful spectacle.

The evening concludes with fireworks at 9 p.m. For additional information on the Centennial Era Balloon Festival presented by AT&T Real Yellow Pages, visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

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Hot-air balloon crash leaves 20 S'poreans stuck on hill

THE 20 Singaporean tourists were having the time of their lives, flying over mountains in a hot-air balloon.

But the hot-air balloon crashed half-way into the journey, leaving them dangling precariously at the edge of a hilltop.
Through coordination and teamwork, some managed to leave the basket slowly and pull the balloon and remaining passengers to safety, avoiding further tragedy.
Witnesses said about half of the Singaporeans were injured. Madam Lee Kwai Sim, 68, suffered a fractured foot, while others suffered bruises, scraps and other minor injuries.
The accident happened on 1 Feb in Turkey's central Cappadocia region.
Hairstylist Vincent Leong, 43, his mother Madam Lee, and two friends were among those on the 11-day Chan Brothers tour over the Chinese New Year period.
On the sixth day, they were offered a hot balloon ride as an optional item on the itinerary.

Mr Kelvin Ng, 45, an administrator, said the tour guide persuaded them to sign up, saying it was very safe.
He said 24 out of the group of 28 decided to give the 45-minute ride a try.
The group was split into two hot-air balloons - 20 were placed on the first balloon with three other tourists, while the remaining four and the tour guide were on the second balloon.
Mr Leong said the first balloon had only been airborne for about 20 minutes when the pilot suddenly shouted: 'I can't see, I can't see! We have to land! We've got to land!'
Although it was foggy, the hills were still clearly visible.
Mr Leong said: 'I shouted, 'It's a slope!' A few other guys also shouted, but the pilot didn't seem to hear us.'

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Love is in the air as couple renew vows

DAREDEVIL romantics John and Sue Lockett have renewed their wedding vows – 3,000 feet up in a hot air balloon.

The breathtaking trip was arranged as a surprise present for Sue to mark their 25th wedding anniversary.

And three generations of their family also went along for the ride yesterday, where they watched the blessing delivered by a local clergyman.

The uplifting service in the balloon basket was followed by a celebration meal and a reception back on terra firma.

Mum-of-two Sue, a 52-year-old school kitchen assistant, said: "It was absolutely brilliant. Wonderful. At first, I didn't know if I wanted to do it. But now I've been up in a hot air balloon, I would do it all over again."

The couple, who live in Lightwood, originally wed in the more humble surroundings of Hanley Register Office as they were saving up to buy a house at the time.

But as the years have gone by, their sense of adventure has grown. They have previously taken part in a charity parachute jump and tried their hand at water-skiing.

John, who works as a maintenance electrician, was determined to splash out to make the anniversary trip unforgettable.

"I love her to bits," he said. "I just wanted to do something a bit more unusual than the run-of-the-mill things. Our sons thought we were completely daft when they heard about the idea."

Their youngest son, 20-year-old Richard, was among the balloon passengers. He was joined by John's 74-year-old mother Beryl and Sue's sisters, Christine and Jill.

The journey, arranged through Balloons UK, began at Trentham Gardens and took them to Ipstones in the Moorlands.

"It was really smooth and peaceful up in the balloon. It was fantastic and the service was great," said John, aged 51.

The only hiccup came when the party tried to land and the balloon tipped on its side, with everyone erupting into fits of laughter as they clung on to the basket.

Beryl Lockett, who lives in Blurton, couldn't wait to go on the trip.

She said: "I've been in a helicopter before and also on a boat at Niagara Falls. I was thrilled to bits to go up in the balloon."

Beryl had always wanted to go on a balloon ride with her husband, but he died before they got to plan it.

Clergyman Alex Brown, from Longton Central Hall, was comfortable with the sky-high service yesterday.

He said: "I've previously done two other blessings in the air. It's a special service, normally for couples who want the service somewhere other than church."

You will be able to listen to the duo's story soon.

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Hot air balloon rides as part of Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival postponed

FAIRHOPE, Ala. -- Hot air balloon rides benefiting the Fairhope Education Enrichment Foundation during Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival have been postponed due to windy weather this weekend.

The balloonist advised FEEF officials that winds are a bit too strong to safely operate the balloon during a planned Friday flyover and tethered rides Sunday morning at the Colony at the Grand.

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