1500 Central Avenue

Middletown, OH 45044

 513-705-1770

www.OhioChallenge.com info@OhioChallenge.com

THREE DAYS OF CONSTANT ENTERTAINMENT PLANNED FOR

MIDFIRST OHIO CHALLENGE JULY 20-21-22, 2007

Between hot air balloon flights and Fastrax Skydiving demonstrations, there will be many top musical groups performing at the 5^th Annual MidFirst Ohio Challenge to be held on July 20-21-22 at Smith Park in downtown Middletown, Ohio.

Several top Midwestern bands will provide the open air concerts each day. For the $1 walk-in adult admission (kids 12 and under Free) or the $5 on-site parking fee, guests will enjoy most of the event’s best entertainment elements without additional cost.

Friday, July 20:

Prior to the evening hot air balloon launch, at approximately 6-7 pm  The Doug Hart Band led by songwriter, guitar player, vocalist Doug Hart will play a blend of blues and rock with original music woven into the performance.

Once the balloons have launched, Slowhand takes the stage to entertain the crowd until the balloons return for the evening balloon glow/skydiver pyrotechnic jump.

Slowhand is an Eric Clapton Tribute Band with Chris Smith on bass guitar, Joe Mercer on drums, Rick Bailey on vocals and guitar,  Daniel White on guitar, and Ray Gooch playing keyboards. Slowhand was formed in 1994 in Fairborn. The band looks and sounds very much like the original Eric Clapton band. Slowhand has performed at The Fraze Pavilion, Ohio State Fair, Lock 3 Live Amphitheatre in Akron, live on WONE, Soaring Eagle Casino in Michigan, has been the featured artists on Time Warner Television, WTUE Radio, Gilly’s in Dayton and many other sites.

On Saturday, the music begins at 5 pm with Daniel Smith, who wrote the current hit, Thank You (a tribute to the American soldier). A part of his performance will be the Fastrax Skydiving team flying in a huge 7,500 square foot American Flag and a special presentation to area veterans and active duty troops by the Thank You Foundation.  Smith is best known for a hit album, American Made.

From 8-10:30 pm, Midnight Special will bring their brand of 70s rock to the MidFirst Ohio Challenge stage. Members of the band are Erik E Danials on vocals and guitar, Gregg St Charles on bass guitar and vocals, Joey Von Richter playing guitar and on vocals, Craig Wilson on keyboards and vocals and David Masters the drummer and back-up singer.

In 1976, two Cincinnati bands were slated to perform together—but only one man from each band showed up. The show must go on, so they regrouped, called in some friends and Midnight Special was born. The nationally touring group has been one of the country’s premier Rock N Roll bands opening for many headliners.  Their playlist is right off the Billboard magazine All Time Greatest classic rock song list.

Sunday’s music will add to the flavor of the Classic Car Show with a noon to 2 pm concert by Corky’s Rock ‘n Roll Revival playing 50s style music. Members of the band are: Dirk Lavoy  on keyboard and vocals, Corky Shull on lead guitar, vocalist Brenda Allen, drummer Frank Dunn, Dale Oakley on vocals and guitar and Hank Walters on bass guitar and vocals. The Dayton, Ohio band formed in 2004 with a style that blends contemporary and original into their own unique sound.  Originally two area bands, they joined together for a 50s sock hop event and stuck together to play many Midwestern venues. 

From 2-4 pm Sunday, Timeless Band members Danny Davidson, George Daniels, Mark Roy, Mike Cain and Rex Gore will take the stage. The 1990s band regrouped in 2005 and have been hitting local stages since.

The final musical concert for the 2007 MidFirst Ohio Challenge will be the Joe Hedges Modern Rock Band. Loved by music critics, the band includes Joe Hedges on vocals, guitar and piano, T Miller who plays guitar, cello, keyboard and vocals, Dan McQuinn on drums, vocals and guitar, and Brian Ives on bass. Their hit album is called Curvature.

As with all outdoor events, particularly hot air balloon events, weather plays a big part in the days schedule. Times of specific performances and events may vary from schedule. Balloon launch times may be delayed as pilots wait for slower wind speeds.  Balloons fly only in the early morning and early evening hours – just after sunrise and just before sunset when the winds are lightest.  Specialty balloons (Fred B Rabbit and the American Rocket) are particularly susceptible to high winds and may not be able to fly even when other balloons are in the air. Reminder:  If the wind is high, balloons don’t fly.

Pre-Event

Balloon practice flights

Skydiving training jumps

Tandem skydiving with area VIPs

Throughout the Weekend:

Indian Village Display

Kids Discovery Center

Leap to Learning Skydiving Discovery Center

Arts & Crafts

Murray Brothers Carnival

Festival Foods

Special Shape Balloons Fred B Rabbit and The American Rocket with each balloon flight

Baker Bowl Skate Park

Playground/Splashpad

Skydiver Simulator Wind Tunnel Ride

Friday

9 am-5 pm       Airplane Rides

4:00 pm            Park Open/ $1 Adult Walk-In Admission (12 and under free) OR $5 On-site Parking

5-7:00              WPFB, 105.9 The Rebel broadcast from site

6:00                 Opening Ceremonies

                        National Anthem

                        Recognition of Sponsors and Elected Officials

                        Presentation of Colors 

                        Team Fastrax – Bringing in the 7,500 sq ft American Flag

6-7:00              The Doug Hart Band – Blues/Rock

7-8:00              Balloon Launch from Site (weather permitting)

8-10:30            Slowhand – Eric Clapton Tribute Band

9-9:30              Balloon Glow

9:30-9:45         Team Fastrax – Night jump with pyrotechnic display

10:30               Park Closes

Saturday

7:00 am            Balloon Launch – Fly into festival site (gates open/free admission/parking)

7:00                 Registration for 5K Race

8:30                 5K Race – Sponsored by Middletown High School Athletic Boosters

9 am-5 pm       Airplane Rides

Noon               Park Open/$1 Adult Walk-In Admission (12 and under free) OR $5 On-site Parking

1:00                 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration

2:00                 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration

2:00                 Geocaching Demonstration and Hunt

3:00                 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration

3-5:00              Cold Air Inflated Hot Air Balloon Walk Thru/ $1 donation to charity

4:00                 Geocaching Demonstration and Hunt

4:00                 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration

4:30-5:00         Ohio Cardinal Cloggers

5:00                 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration

5-7:00              WPFB, 105.9 The Rebel broadcast from site

5:30-7:00         Daniel Smith – Country Music/Tribute to the Troops

6:00                 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration

7-8:00              Balloon Launch from Site (weather permitting)

8:00                 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration

8-10:30            Midnight Special – 70-80’s Rock

9-9:30              Balloon Glow

9:30-9:45         Team Fastrax – Night jump with pyrotechnic display

10:30               Park Closes

Sunday

7:00 am            Balloon Launch – Fly into festival site (gates open/free admission/parking)

9 am-5 pm       Airplane Rides

10:00               Car Show Registration

Noon               Park Open/$1 Adult Walk-In Admission (12 and under free) OR $5 On-site Parking

12-4:00            Classic Car Show

12-2:00            Corky’s Rock and Roll Review – 50’s Music

2:00                 Team Fastrax Skydiving Demonstration

2:00                 Geocaching Demonstration and Hunt

2-4:00              The Rebel/105.9 fm Radio Broadcast from Site

2:30-4:00         Timeless Country Music Band

3:00                 Team Fastrax Skydiving Demonstration

3-5:00              Cold Air Inflated Hot Air Balloon Walk Thru/$1 donation to charity

4:00                 Car Show Awards Presentation

4:00                 Geocaching Demonstration and Hunt

4:00                 Team Fastrax Skydiving Demonstration

4:30-7:00         Joe Hedges Modern Rock Band

5:00                 Team Fastrax Skydiving Demonstration – Water Jump

7:00                 Balloon Launch from inside Smith Park (weather permitting)

8:00                 Park Closes

MidFirst Ohio Challenge is a three-day festival at Smith Park in downtown Middletown centered around the competitive hot air balloon event and demonstration skydiving. The 2007 event will include a classic car show, 5K race, balloon glows with skydiving fireworks, geocaching, musical concerts, arts & crafts, festival foods and other attractions.

The event, now in its fifth year, has drawn up to 70,000 guests each year to the  site which means significant economic impact for the event vendors and businesses in the Middletown area as well as a good time for families who visit.

Middletown is situated midway between Dayton and Cincinnati, just off I-75 and within easy driving distance to other major attractions such as Kings Island.

Event hours: Friday 4-10:30 pm, Saturday Noon-10:30 pm, Sunday Noon-7:00 pm. Admission is $1 for adults (over 12) walking into the grounds OR $5 per car regardless of number of occupants.

For more information about MidFirst Ohio Challenge, call 513-705-1770 or visit www.ohiochallenge.com website.

2007 SPONSORS

Primary Sponsor

MidFirst Credit Union – Sponsoring Team Fastrax Professional Skydivers

Platinum Plus

Middletown Community Foundation

Platinum

910 WPFB/ The Rebel 105.9 -     Official Radio Station

Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton

Middletown Convention & Visitor Bureau/ City of Middletown

Middletown Journal - Official Information Source

StartSkydiving.com -  Home of Team Fastrax - Professional Skydiving Team

Gold

Butler Tech – Sponsoring Rocket Special Shape Balloon

Duke Energy

J P Morgan Chase/ Barnitz Fund

Silver

AK Steel Company

Manchester Inn

Middletown Regional Hospital

US Bank

Bronze

Alliance Printing & Mailing Services

Bern’s Garden Center

Best Western Regency Inn

Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co.

Cohen Brothers, Inc.

Digital Visuals

Fourth R of Southwestern Ohio

Greg Martin Excavating Inc.

Insurance Associates

Kleingers & Associates

Miller Brewing Company

Mobilcomm Communications

Otterbein Retirement Living Community

Rumpke

Summit Family Physicians

Tom Raper RV