Balloon festival still flying high
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To some, it’s about the competition. To others, it’s about the awe. And still, for some, it’s just a chance to socialize and spend family time together. Whatever the case, there’s something for everyone at the annual Pennington Balloon Championship.
This year marks the seventh year of the event, which will be from Aug. 7-9, again on the grounds of Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
Many of the traditional attractions will be offered, but there might be some changes this year, said George Richard, chair of the Louisiana Ballooning Foundation.
Like many other facets of society, this event has been scaled back just a tad because of the downturn in the economy. For instance, Richard said there will be about 40 balloons participating this year, compared to an average of about 50 in years past.
“A lot of pilots come long ways from Tennessee, California … it’s hard for pilots to be able to justify the expense,” he said. However, there is a chance that more pilots will be added, and the lower number shouldn’t be enough to affect the experience, he added.
The event will still have the same array of bands (including the usual prison bands), skydiving performances and incredible fireworks displays. The U.S. Army Special Operations group the Black Daggers will once again perform daytime and nighttime jumps.
A big highlight of the event – the balloon glows – will still take place.
The family atmosphere will be continued again this year; however, as of press time, it was uncertain whether BREC’s Children’s Village and the run/walk would be scheduled because of construction being done at BREC’s nearby park.
The balloon competitions will take place again in the mornings. Food vendors will offer everything from lemonade and ice cream to barbecue and more.
“People can bring their lawn chair and watch some great balloon flying,” Richard said.
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