MIDFIRST OHIO CHALLENGE TO INCLUDE CLASSIC CAR SHOW, DUCK RACE AND PUBLIC BALLOON RIDES ON SUNDAY, JULY 20

by Ann Mort

Organizers of the 2008 MidFirst Ohio Challenge are bringing back the popular Classic Car Show for Sunday, July 20, the final day of the three day event – July 18-19-20, 2008.

Larry Herron is chairperson of the Car Show which displays the beautifully restored vehicles in the midway of the event. Registration is $15 per vehicle beginning at 10 am on the day of the event. Awards will be presented at 4p. For information on the car show contact Herron at 513-503-4471. 

The Car Show day will include 1950s style music on the outdoor stage by The Rubbles, The Linden Davis Group and The Parrots of the Caribbean.
 
Also slated for Sunday at the MidFirst Ohio Challenge will be a rubber Duck Race on Smith Pond.  The Duck Race at 3 p, is sponsored by the Edgewood High School Cheer Boosters as a fund-raiser for their activities. Ducks may be adopted for $5 each or up to an entire flock of 25 ducks for $100. Winner of the Duck Race will receive their choice of a hot air balloon ride or $300 cash, with other prizes for second and third place finishing ducks.

Balloon rides for the public will be offered for the first time this year. Only those who pre-register and have paid the $200 flight fee will be allowed to take the rides. Public rides are only available during the last flight of the event on Sunday evening. (Pilots are not permitted to take paying passengers during a competition event, a prohibition which ends after the Sunday morning flight.)

Midfirst Ohio Challenge is a competition hot air balloon festival wrapped around several air-related entertainments and a full summertime festival. The 37 competition balloons vie for prizes in twice daily flights, weather permitting. The event includes regular jumps by Fastrax Professional Skydiving Team, night time balloon glows, musical concerts by a variety of top regional groups on the outdoor stage, arts and crafts, festival foods, helicopter rides, tethered balloon rides, a walk inside a balloon on the ground, Balloon School, Kids Discovery Center, carnival games and rides, an Indian Village with drum circles and much more.

The festival runs July 18, 4-10 p; July19, Noon – 10p; and July 20, Noon-8p. Location for the festival is in Smith Park, 500 Tytus Avenue in downtown Middletown, Ohio, Exit 32 off I-75. For more information visit www.MidFirstOhioChallenge.com,  email to info@ohiochallenge.com or call 513-705-1770.