Businesses rally in support of balloon festival

Thursday, October 26, 2006
Balloons lift off during an earlier High Plains Freedom Flight. Colorful skies are expected over Southwest Nebraska this weekend. (Mike Kugler/McCook Balloonfest)

As a free community event, McCook Balloon Fest Sponsors invite everyone to join us for amazing, early morning lift-offs, when colorful hot air balloons launch and spread out to cover the Southwest Nebraskan sky this weekend. Sponsors have made it possible to bring in balloons from across the country to fly at this special event, so everyone's sure to experience an excellent show.

3rd District congressional candidate Scott Kleeb's campaign announced that he would be sponsoring one of the balloons, and he expected to be at the launch site about 4:30 Saturday.

Ballooning is a sport that requires lots of cooperation from Mother Nature. In the interest of safety, balloons will usually fly in winds less than 10 mph, in clear weather conditions. These conditions usually exist at sunrise and prior to sunset. All flights will be conducted at the pilot's discretion, as they ultimately understand their own abilities and limitations.

What can you expect at McCook Balloon Fest? Free Attendance and Fun for the Whole Family. Excellent Photographic Opportunities at one of the Most Colorful Nebraska Events You'll Ever See. The Inspiring Ascension of Graceful Hot Air Balloons as they Launch into the Big Blue Sky. A Spectacular Display of Color Sailing through the Crisp Morning Air. Great Lodging, Shopping and Dining while visiting McCook, Nebraska.

Schedule of Flying Events

All Times Subject to Continuous Change According to Weather Conditions.

All Events Hosted at the McCook Municipal Airport.

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006

7:45 a.m.Sponsor/Pilot coordination

8 a.m. Pilot Briefing

8:15 am Hot Air Balloon Launch

TBA Refueling
4:30 p.m.Sponsor/Pilot coordination

4:45 pm Pilot Briefing

5 pm Hot Air Balloon Launch

TBARefueling

Please Note

Daylight Savings Time Change

Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006

6:45 a.m.Sponsor/Pilot coordination

7 a.m. Pilot Briefing

7:15 a.m. Hot Air Balloon Launch

TBA Refueling

How can you participate this weekend? Bring your family and friends to the McCook Municipal Airport Oct. 28 & 29 and enjoy the show.

For more information, please visit www.mccookballoonfest. com.

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