NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
June 18, 2010
Contact: Ann Mort 513-649-4506, Maury Sullivan 330-526-6032
MIDFIRST OHIO CHALLENGE DRAWS TOP HOT AIR BALLOON COMPETITORS
Forty-three hot air balloons will compete July 16-18, 2010, at the MidFirst Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon festival in Middletown Ohio for the title of 2010 Champion. In addition, two very popular special shape balloons, The Purple People Eater and Buzzy will entertain the crowds gathered at Smith Park for the 8th annual event.
This year’s field includes eleven pilots who regularly qualify for the US National Championship including the 2009 US National Champion. The list also includes five former MidFirst Ohio Challenge Champions, three father-son competing pilot families, two brothers, a husband/wife pilot team and three female pilots.
Local pilot, Dr Mark Frazer, placed second in the 2009 competition. Dr Frazer also provides the very popular cold-air “Fluff and Puff,” a chance for youngsters to jump and play on a cold-air inflated balloon on the ground.
Frazer said,” While we pilots enjoy the competition, we know that most of those who come to watch just enjoy seeing the colorful balloons inflate and take to the air. We try to put on a good show for the crowd as we attempt to steer our balloons via air currents to a specific point to toss a 3 ounce bag of beans at a huge “X” on the ground. The pilot who comes the closest to the center of the “X” with the “baggie” gets the most points. While it sounds simple enough, it is harder than it looks to steer a craft with no steering wheel and no brakes to a specific point on the map.”
The competition staff, headed by Maury and Lynn Sullivan from Canton, Ohio, is a well-qualified group of volunteers providing the pilots a challenging event.
According to Maury Sullivan, the Competition Director, “Middletown has come full circle from its dramatic beginning as host for the US Nationals from 1992 to 1994, then returning to a competition flying event in 2001, it has grown into a destination event for some of the best competitive pilots in the US. The organizers provide a warm and welcoming staff with a well thought out schedule of events. The classic Manchester Inn, which serves as headquarters, is conveniently located near Hook Field.“
Sullivan continued,” While the event venue does provide some challenging topography and congestion when flying in certain directions, the event remains popular because it is well run and offers well organized and safe competition. “
MidFirst Ohio Challenge presents a full festival with live musical concerts, carnival, arts and crafts, food, skydiving demonstrations by Team Fastrax, tandem skydiving, tethered balloon flights, and much, much more. Visit www.midfirstohiochallenge.com or call 513-705-1770 for more information.
Discuss in the MUSA Forum
1500 Central Avenue
Middletown, OH 45044
513-705-1770
www.MidFirstOhioChallenge.com info@OhioChallenge.com
Primary Sponsor
MidFirst Credit Union
Platinum +
Middletown Community Foundation
Platinum
AT&T Real Yellow Pages
Chamber of Commerce serving
Middletown, Monroe, Trenton
City of Middletown
JP Morgan Chase/Barnitz Fund
Manchester Inn & Conference Center
Middletown Convention&Visitors Bureau
Start Skydiving.com-Team Fastrax
Gold +
Community Development Professionals
Gold
Digital Visuals
Meijer Stores
Middletown Journal/Cox Ohio Publishing-
Official Information Source
WPFB 910am, 105.9 fm
Silver
AAA Ohio Auto Club
Atrium Medical Center
Bern’s Garden Center
Butler County Visitor’s Bureau
Christian Credit Outreach, Inc.
Costco
Dillman Foods
GFS – Gordon Food Service
Grace Baptist Church
Miami University Middletown
Ocean Spray Cran-Energy
Bronze
AK Steel
Al Neyer, Inc
BioLife Plasma Services
Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co
Cohen Brothers
Crossroads Hospice
Garden Manor
Hawthorn Glenn
Kleingers & Associates
MillerCoors Brewery
MobilComm Communications
Summit Family Physicians
Special Thanks
B & B Aero
Broad Street Bash
Bryte Signs
Butler Co Recycling & Solid Waste District
Holy Family Parish
Middletown Aviation Foundation
Middletown Regional Airport
TriTech Light & Sound
United Way
Corporate Balloons
Atrium Medical Center
Bella Balloon Hot Air Balloon Co
Gentle Breeze Balloon Co.
Remax
