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Show travel 6 trips to the land of aahs! As summerballoonfestivals take off, here’s where to goto fly, watch or just plain be untethered IOWA + Aug. 2-17 The National Balloon Classic, starting next F manyas 150 balloonsto Indianola, 12 mules south brings as Des Moines. BALLOONING ETIQUETTE Other draws: a Civil War battle re-enactment, dances, an arts and aeee crafts festival, a parade, a classic car show, sky divers and a town picnic with 2 chile cook-off. Indianola Chamber of Commerce, 515 N. Jefferson, Suite D, Indianola, lewa 501235; 3 61-6269. Would you like to fiy in a beautiful balicon? Flights don’t come NEWYORK30-Sept2 can cost up to $100 per Dansville, a pleasantvillage in upstate NewYork’s hegre Lakes passenger for about an region, combinesballooning with an Oktoberfest The Greit Oktoberfest Balioon Rallye” will sendbal hour in the air. Tethered rides can cost as little as cheap. Commercial rides ver since thefirst aeronaut went aloft in 1783 to cheers of 400,000 French spectators, balloonists have attracted crowds — big ee This summer andfall, milions of balloon buffs will ogle hot air balloons (some even maybe able to hitch a ride) at “balloonfests” across the USA. This weekend, for instance, marks the launching of the U.S. National Hot Air Balioon Championships in Baton Rouge, La. Through next Sunday, as manyas 200,000 will visit. At Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta in October, the largest of the events, well overa million are expected. Ballooning’s appeal is obvious. The seven-story envelopes, gaudysplotches of color against a cloudless sky, seem to dance on air as pilots seek wind currents moving in different directions at different altitudes. “One thing to rememberaboutballoons,” says JoAnn Hammonds,a Fort Worth enthusiast, “fs they don’t have steering wheels, so you've got to go with the flow.” The samecan be said offans. The sport requires determination d patience, since the slightest glitch in the weather can scrub plans. Mostflights go up in the early morning or early evening, to take advantage of less turbulent, cooler conditions. That’s whyfestival organizers offer lots of diversions, frorr food to fireworks. Noveltyballoons, often sponsored by businesses, add flair — aflying burger, a rolled-up newspaper or a cow jumping over the moon Admission to thefestivals range from free to about $6 per adult. Here’s a look at some upcoming events in places worthvisiting even whenballoons aren't soaring LOUISIANA July 26-Aug. 4 For the third straight year, Baton Rouge 1: hosting the U.S Championships, Sunday, with 100 play balloonists. Hot Air Balloon Nationa! this weekend through next competitors and 50 other disA Loutsiana Food Fete will serve plenty of tasty creole and Cajun cooking, and there'll be music to match. When not sampling crawfish or alligator gumbo, drop in on some of the plantation houses open tc visitors. Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visi- tors Bureau, P.O. Box Drawer 4149, Baton Rouge 70821; 1-800-527-6843 BS USA WEEKEND + july 26-28, 19 $10, but you'll be anchored to the ground by a long soaring over the Genesee Valley. Spectators are min- utes from “Olde World” foods and polka music Dansville is 30 minutes from New Yorkstate wine country and Letchworth State Park, “the rope. One strategy Grand Canyonofthe East.” Dansvilie Chamber of for a possible free Commerce, P.O. Box 105, Dansville, N.' 14437; 716-335-3708. trip: Volunteer to help a balloon crew COLORADO © Aup. 31-Sepi. 2 balloonfest organizers — check with The Colorado Springs Balloon Classic brings well in advance to see if 120 balloons to downtown Memorial Park. Parachutists, ultralight air- volunteers are needed. Regardless of the way craft and hovercraft add aerial in- you secure a ride, keep terest. Awayfrom the park, vis the Air Force Academy,catchthe Pikes Peak or marvelat the red sandstoneformations in the Garden of the Gods. Colorado these ballooning do's and don’ts in mind: * Dress appropriately: slacks and athletic shoes Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, 104 S. Cascade Ave., Suite Colorado Springs, Colo. 80903; 1-800-888-4748 a Sept20-22 orloafers (no spike heels, rings or watches, which might damage balloon fabric). You have to climb in and ont over Statesville’s National Balloon Rally is ex- the side ofthe basket, pected to draw 100bal and be prepared for to North Carolina’s rolling Pied -ountry. Be- possible muddy landings tween ascensions at Statesville Munici- in overgrown fields. pal Airport, sample Blue Ridgecrafts or dance to Carolinas “peach music. Stroll through Statesville’s yur historic districts and the landmark Old * No smoking! ?ropaneis volatile. Jail and Courthouse. Statesville Travel and Tourism Board, 1064, Statesville, P.O. Box N.C. 28677 704-873-2892. * Obey orders from the pilot promptly. Ballooning can be silent as a whisper as you float NEW MEXICO ~ (ci. 5-15 ataeta aE Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta takes flight with about 650balloons at a 77-acre park north of town. Fireworks and a rock concert also are planned. Away from the fiesta’s carni- val-like midway, tour Albuquerque's Old Town, visit the National Atomic Museum ot take the tram to Sandia Peak for a desert view Albuguerque Convention and Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 26866, Albuquerque, N.M. 87125; 1-800-284-2282. * Never walk on a deflated balloon. ie perssteatencr don't be surprised a when the pilotfires the astoundinglynoisy propane burner to keep the balloon aloft * Something to look forward to: Balloon flights traditionally end with a champagne toast, i eee re By Don Bedwell Photographs by Ron Behrman |