From Ann Mort
If the rains hold off until late Monday night, the annual holiday hot air balloon glow will light up Smith Park from 7 to 8 pm. Several hot air balloon pilots will bring their aircraft and inflate them beside Light Up Middletown displays. The huge balloons glow like twinkling holiday lights when the propane burners are fired to heat the air inside. If it has rained at all prior to glow time, the glow will be cancelled. High winds (over 10 mph) or wet ground would be reason for cancellation.
Dr Mark Frazer, balloon pilot and chair of the glow, invites several area pilots to join him for this one special night each year.
Guests may enter the Smith Park site from Tytus Avenue and drive around the reflecting pond to enjoy Light Up Middletown’s animated displays as they also enjoy the balloon glow.
Light Up Middletown is open from 6 to 10 pm every night, holidays included, through December 31. Admission is by donation--set your own price.
Smith Park is located in downtown Middletown adjacent to the airport, 500 Tytus Avenue, just off SR4/Verity Parkway. I-75 Exit 32.
So far, there have been 40,141 visitors to the display in 2011. That number is a 13% increase over 2010 numbers for the same 23 days of operation.
For more information, contact chairperson Flo Randall at 513-423-1877 or visit www.lightupmiddletown.org.