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| 2013 Carolina BalloonFest in Statesville, NC © Katrena |
Many families and photographers in and around the Piedmont area of North Carolina travel to Statesville Regional Airport in October. They are in search of spectacular colors ascending or glowing in the Carolina BalloonFest.
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| See Balloon Crews Set up at Launch in Statesville © Katrena |
This annual event offers guests the opportunity to see a balloon launch up close and personal. Those who arrive early might even mingle with the balloon crews and learn a bit about the balloon and great stories of previous launches and landings.
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| Carolina Kaleidoscope at NC Balloon Launch © Katrena |
I would highly recommend planning to arrive to this event early...very early. The web site suggests arriving by 2:00. That is a great idea because thousands of people enjoy this event, and the road to the airport is small. They also offer a shuttle bus that will transport people from the fairgrounds.
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| Balloon Festival Near I-40 © Katrena |
Those looking for discounted prices will find lower prices on Friday and Sunday. The Saturday date offers the extra treat of seeing the night glow after dark as the balloon crews return to set up and create a most unusual light show as fire illuminates the balloons on the ground in the
Night Glow.
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| See Hot Air Balloons in Statesville © Katrena |
Children can enjoy a nice variety of games included with admission. My kids were drawn to an inflatable obstacle course with a slide. Bounce houses, sporting games, and lots more can get the kids active while having a blast. Some of the children's activities, such as the zip line and bungee jumping, require tickets.
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| 2013 Balloon Launch from Statesville Regional Airport © Katrena |
Food and drinks are available for purchase and live bands add music to the mix. The balloon festival offers a great time to bring a blanket or lawn chair and sit and enjoy a fun family time together. The family might even sign up to run the 5K or Fun Run.
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| October Fun Family Activities in Iredell County NC © Katrena |
Those who are always looking for an educational opportunity can turn this into an exciting hands-on classroom by identifying colors and shapes of the balloons while counting them. You can also research the science behind hot air balloons or hot air balloon terminology. History buffs can learn more about the birth of balloons and those interested in social studies can learn about various famous launch pads and perhaps meet a few crews. A few schools in the area were delighted to have balloon crews set up on school lawns before the event.
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| Take a Balloon Ride! © Katrena |
Folks who want to take a ride in a balloon can purchase tickets for a tethered balloon ride that will take riders above the crowd. Those who want to go up and out can coordinate a ride with one of the pilots through the
Carolina BalloonFest web site.
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| Balloon Festival and Night Glow in NC © Katrena |
Watching a balloon launch is a memorable experience. The crews work well together as they take their positions unpack the envelope and fill it with air. The hum of the large fans is replaced with the blast of fiery fuel as the crew eventually tips the basket to an upward position with the balloon floating above. As the bright colors take to the sky, the crowd might cheer, clap, and wave. It's a celebration! Those below are left to imagine the peaceful serenity of flying in a basket topped by a balloon.
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| Statesville Balloon Fest in 2013 © Katrena |
This event gives more people hope by supporting the Statesville's Relay for Life Team and the American Cancer Society. The Carolina BalloonFest is one of my personal favorites. My dad was a Navy pilot, and I always think of him when I see the balloons soar. Photographers will be delighted at all the opportunities. The 2012 Fall
first place photo for Our State magazine featured the Night Glow at the Carolina BalloonFest.
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| See Hot Air Balloons in Piedmont NC © Katrena |
Related articles:
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| Balloon Festival in October in North Carolina © Katrena |
Visit Katrena's
Travel NC With Kids or
Love 2 Travel With Kids site maps to get more ideas for fun family activities.
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