LINCOLN -- Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce executive director Andi Hake has never been a fan of roller coaster rides.
"They make my stomach turn," Hake says.
But hot air balloons? That's a different story.
"I don't like heights, but riding in a hot air balloon is a blast. It's smooth, calm and just a beautiful sight whether you are on the ground or in the air."
Chances are Hake will be both on the ground and in the air during the annual Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, which begins Friday and continues through Sunday. The chamber organizes the annual event split between the Logan County Airport and downtown Lincoln. The Art Fair is now in its 26th year, while the Balloon Fest is in its 21st year.
More than 40 hot air balloons are scheduled to launch at 6 p.m. Friday evening and take off again during a 6:30 a.m. sunrise launch on Saturday.
"We're going to have a great weekend with beautiful weather and beautiful balloons and it's a wonderful way to show off Lincoln and Logan County," said Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder.
A complete schedule of events is available at the new and improved Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival Web site, www.lincolnillinois.com.
"We try different things every year and there we are always looking for new options and ideas," Hake said. "This year, we are adding a professional wrestling show. We've done the research and have found that it's a very popular form of entertainment and that's the bottom line. We are trying to entertain people here and find something for everyone to enjoy."
Features at the airport include a carnival, remote-control airplane demonstrations, helicopter rides, airplane rides and tethered balloon rides.
Downtown, the art and craft festivals have been revamped. Hake credits volunteer Marty Ahrends with being one of the driving forces.
"We have a lot of new artists as well as our loyal and favorite artists, but it's really a nice diversity," Ahrends said. "Some of the crafts we have seen already have been amazing."
The flea market and craft fair downtown at Scully Park begins at 3 p.m. today.
"The chamber has worked to develop activities and attractions to bridge the Lincoln Art Fair in Latham Park to the flea market and craft fair in Scully Park," Hake said. "The addition of a craft fair in Scully Park will enhance the downtown experience, while Kickapoo Street from Latham Park to Scully Park will be filled with family-friendly activity for everyone."
New options include a Family Fun Park, 'The Art of Wine' wine tasting event, a quad bungee jump, 50-foot obstacle course, Football Fun area and carriage rides will entertain festival-goers who can travel the Kickapoo Street corridor from park to park. Downtown will also have its own live entertainment. A hot-air balloon inflation is planned for Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Kickapoo and Pulaski streets.
Also on Saturday, the Logan Railsplitting Association will do a demonstration at 1 p.m. at the corner of Kickapoo and Pulaski. Latham Park will host the True Blue Barbershop Quartet on Saturday, and Scully Park will have the Country Mavericks on Saturday and the Amazing Elvis on Sunday.
Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival
Where: Logan County Airport and Downtown Lincoln
When: 3 - 11 p.m. today, 6:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday
On the Net: www.lincolnillinois.com
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