Changes in works for this year's BalloonFest

By: Bethany Fuller | Statesville Record & Landmark
Published: September 10, 2011

Hot air balloons won’t be the only things expanding at the 38^th annual Carolina BalloonFest.
There are plans to increase some of the attractions on the ground as well.
National Balloon Rally Charities Inc. Chairman Robb Collier said the Kids’ Zone will be expanded for the annual rally, which is set for Oct. 21-23 at the Statesville Regional Airport. Also expanding will be the N.C. Wine Festival, set for Oct. 22.
National Balloon Rally Charities Inc. is the umbrella nonprofit that operates Carolina BalloonFest.
Collier said people from all over the southeast are expected to attend the annual event.
“They love the balloon rally,” he said. “It is such a unique event in our area.”
Collier said the committee is still solidifying some of the details for the expanded Kidz Zone. He said the price of the Kidz Zone is included with admission, except for the bungee ride, which cost extra.
The cost of admission to the second oldest balloon rally in the country is $10 per adult and $5 for children 6 to 12. Children five and younger are free.
For the wine festival, in addition to different wineries from around the Yadkin Valley region, Collier said they will have a few breweries coming in with craft beers.
“We just thought that would be a new little twist to help them spread their product,” Collier said.
This year’s rally will benefit Purple Heart Homes, which renovates homes for veterans of all wars, and the American Cancer Society.
For the past several years, Dove House and Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell have benefited from the profits of the rally. Collier said there was some discussion on the board about changing the beneficiaries. He said the committee never had a formal agreement with an individual charity to stay with them, and the committee felt like it was time to look at helping other organizations in Iredell County.
Collier said the committee has lined up several bands to entertain the crowds, which number in the thousands. Some of the acts featured that weekend will include Karla Causey, Burning Bright, Band of Gold, the Al Wood Band and many more.
Friday is fan day, which means admission is free to the public, and Sunday is Veterans Appriciation Day, which will be free to current and former military personnel with valid identification.
Balloon liftoffs will happen on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 4:30 p.m., depending on the weather. Balloons will also be launched on Saturday and Sunday mornings. For anyone interested in learning more about hot air balloons, the Carolina Balloon Association will conduct seminars about the history of ballooning.
For more information about the Carolina BalloonFest, go to www.carolinaballoonfest.com.

Changes in works for this year's BalloonFest

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