Rita Hutchinson
July 31, 2008
Helen Ann Hebert Martin
August 4, 2008
Look in the sky … It’s a bird … It’s a plane … It’s hot-air balloons!
The 2008 Pennington Balloon Championships are set for Aug. 8-10 on the grounds of the Pennington Biomedical Research Facility in Baton Rouge.
Over 60 balloons will grace the Baton Rouge skies for the three-day event, giving locals the opportunity to get their share of the fun and pilots a chance to compete for the Louisiana State Hot-Air Balloon Championship title.
As part of the competition, the pilots will have to do certain tasks, such as dropping beanbags on targets.
The first place winner receives $3,500, with a total of $37,000 in cash prizes handed out throughout the weekend.
The weekend’s competition is free and open to the public.
“It’ll be fun for the whole family,” said George Richard, Louisiana Ballooning Foundation executive director. “The U.S. Army Black Daggers parachute team is coming back this year. We expect large crowds.”
The only costs to spectators will be for food, cold drinks and beer that will be offered on-site.
A fireworks show lights the sky on Friday and Saturday beginning at 9:30 p.m.
One lucky pilot will also take home a balloon trailer from Herb’s Trailer. “There will be a pole there and if somebody can get a ring over it, they win a new trailer,” Richard said.
Also on Saturday night, Louisiana-based rock band Benjy Davis Project performs until 10 p.m.
As for the competition, Richard said he expects it to be huge. Last year, the event drew over 90,000 spectators from around the world. In previous years, over 100,000 people flocked to the site for the event. They come not only for the balloons, but also for the skydivers, fireworks, bands and Louisiana cuisine.
Richard said the event is unlike any other. He urges spectators to come Friday and Saturday evening for the most enjoyable time.
At 6 p.m. on both days, the parachute team will perform and at 8 p.m., there is a balloon-glow. “It’s amazing to see that,” Richard said. “All of the pilots fire their burners and it looks like a kaleidoscope of balloons. It’s really something to see.”
Following the parachute team’s performance, a mass ascension of balloons will take to the sky.
Early birds arriving before 6:30 a.m. all three days will be treated to a spectacular vision: the balloons rise with the sunrise. “That’s really something to see too,” he said. “Quite amazing.”
BREC is sponsoring a children’s village, which opens at 3 p.m. on all three days. In addition, there are gift booths for souvenirs.
It is important for visitors to know that parking is limited. Blankets, lawn chairs and a camera are essential.
No rainout dates are scheduled, so Richard just hopes all goes according to plan.
The FAA prohibits balloon rides, so no one will be allowed a trip in the skies.
For more information, log onto www.laballooning.com.
