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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