From Ann Mort

The Ohio Challenge committee is making plans to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the hot air balloon festival to be held July 13-15, 2012.

Many of the festival’s popular activities will return such as hot air balloon competition flights on Friday evening, Saturday morning and evening and Sunday morning. The Team Fastrax skydiving competition team will “drop in” several times during festival hours. A carnival, festival food, arts and crafts, classic car show and much more is planned. The evening balloon glows on Friday and Saturday nights will be combined with special 10th anniversary entertainment.

Many of the festival’s popular activities will return such as hot air balloon competition flights on Friday evening, Saturday morning and evening and Sunday morning. The Team Fastrax skydiving competition team will “drop in” several times during festival hours. A carnival, festival food, arts and crafts, classic car show and much more is planned. The evening balloon glows on Friday and Saturday nights will be combined with special 10th anniversary entertainment.

“As the event has grown during the past 10 years, so has the amount of work involved. The Executive Committee has been expanded to reflect that growth. The current executive committee members are: Chair - Maria Langendorf; Event Manager - Paula Hale; Treasurer - Scott Richardson; Past Chairs/Operational Logistics: Rodney Hale, David Pearce and Dan Sack; Past Chair/Pilot Services: Ginger Bruggeman; Balloon Pilots - Dr. Mark Frazer; Grounds - Brad Short; Guest Services – Anna Pruett; Shuttle Services – Joe Wittman; and Publicity - Ann Mort. There are approximately 25 chairpeople handling specific parts of the event and hundreds of volunteers who work tirelessly to make it happen.”

Festival hours are July 13-14 Friday and Saturday evenings 4-10:30 pm. Admission is $4 per adult at the gate OR $10 per vehicle which includes parking, admission for all occupants and free shuttle service. Special rates are available for buses and RVs. July 14-15, Saturday and Sunday morning balloon competition flights are approximately 6-9 am with free admission to the festival site. Festival closes after the Sunday morning flight.

For more information about the 10th annual MidUSA Ohio Challenge event on July 13-14, 2012, visit the website at www.midusaohiochallenge.com.