BALLOON CLASSIC INVITATIONAL/
JACKSON-BELDEN FOOD FEST & FIREWORKS

The Balloon Classic Invitational is a fantastic family event that began in 1984 and was enhanced in 1995 when the event merged with the Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks.

The first Balloon Classic featured just a handful of hot air balloons and has grown so extensively that more than 70 balloons will participate in the 22nd anniversary event in 2007. Extra excitement will be generated by special shape balloons such as "Piggles" the piggy bank,  "Touchdown" an enormous flying football, "Sushi" and "The American Rocketship" .

Pilots participate in team racing and target drops as they vie for a prize package of $19,000.  An awesome spectacle is the pole grab in which pilots guide their balloons as close as possible to the designated pole in an attempt to grab the ribbon, a feat worth $3,000 and other great prizes. 

After the sun sets Friday night, a special show begins with the spectacular balloon glow.  The balloons tether on the ground and fill their balloon envelopes with propane so they glow brightly in the night, in a musically choreographed program.  On Saturday night, the balloon flight is followed by the fabulous Jackson-Belden Fireworks show, also musically choreographed and sure to delight people of all ages.

On both Friday and Saturday evenings, in addition to the hot air balloons, be sure to enjoy the Jackson-Belden Food Fest, which provides a wide variety of tempting treats, children’s area, and musical entertainment.

                                                 New for 2008 "Dawn Patrol"

 An activity pilots refer to as “The Dawn Patrol” has been added to the HOFEF Balloon Classic in 2008.  It involves pilots taking off in the dark and flying until it is light enough to see landing sites.  The participating balloons are equipped with position lights to make the balloons visible at all times to other aircraft.  When the balloons burn, they illuminate the night sky just as they do for the evening Glow.  The balloons create a very strange appearance in the night sky especially to those on the ground never having experienced this show in the past.

 Fellow balloonists appreciate the Dawn Patrol because they can watch the balloons and get an early idea of wind speeds and directions at different altitudes. During the Media Flight activities scheduled for Friday, July 25 about a half dozen Dawn Patrol balloons will be performing the Dawn Patrol Show. Dawn Patrol inflations begin, weather permitting, at about 5:00 AM, with launch around 5:30 AM.

 For a You Tube clip of this event at the Reno race follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM6z46zw0KI

 Be sure to have your camera ready all weekend to take photos for entry in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Photo Contest.  Click here for more details!!