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On the Breeze Blog

Taking a Ride at Carolina BalloonFest

9/29/2015

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Yes, that could be you in the basket! Carolina BalloonFest is a great place to take your first balloon ride...or your second....or your tenth! Being up in the air with the crowds below, and other balloons around you.....it is quite amazing.  Each year folks come to Statesville and check that experience off their bucket list. Many people have gotten engaged at Carolina BalloonFest, and a few have gotten married. The couple in the picture were married last year, surrounded by family and friends and, well, a very big crowd of strangers. After they were pronounced man and wife, they took off for what I am sure was quite a memorable flight.

Balloon rides at Carolina BalloonFest are $250 per person. You can find booking information online at the Carolina BalloonFest website. If a pilot is booking rides and has passenger space available, you will find contact information for them on our pilot page.  Book a Ride  Scroll down the page and you will be able to see a picture of their balloons.

Why are balloon rides so expensive? Let's look at what it takes. All pilots who offer them have to be commercial pilots. That means they have paid for training and testing that goes beyond being a private pilot (which in itself is quite the accomplishment)....and continue to be tested throughout their career. They never stop learning.

Then there is the cost of the hot air balloon itself. Hot air balloons are expensive. We usually tell people to think of the cost of one on the same level as a car. Like a car, you can get them used, or new, or very, very upgraded and specialized.

Also like a car balloons have to be inspected and maintained. To transport their balloon, the pilot needs a chase vehicle. They have to have room to transport their balloon, crew, and passengers. The balloon flies on propane, the chase vehicle needs gasoline. Both the balloon and the vehicle need insurance. Then there are the electronics... those things the pilot uses to help fly the balloon, and those the pilot and chase crew use to stay in communication.

There also is the people factor....a pilot needs a good chase crew to help them set the balloon up, launch, follow them (wherever they go), and be there to help them take the balloon down. It's a big investment of time for a lot of people....not just the pilot.

Other things impact the cost, too, but that gives you an idea. Ballooning is an expensive sport....no one gets rich doing it!

How long is a ride? Usually around 45 minutes, but that can vary greatly. The weather matters, of course. What's going on with the winds? What time did you launch? There actually is a limited window of flyable time....pilots can fly in this area morning and night, but there are usually only a couple of flyable hours. And where can they land? Pilots spend most of their flight looking for good landing spots. For example, they want a place that is power-line free, they want to stay away from livestock, they want to land in a place where their chase vehicle can have access, and they want to land in a place where the landowner is friendly. Pilots love to fly....but they also want a safe landing. That is their priority on any flight.

Communicate with your pilot as to any plans you have for the flight, such as if you are planning to propose. They need to be aware of what is going to happen during the flight in advance, so they are not distracted as they are flying. (They're good secret keepers...honest!) They'll ask you questions, like about your weight, not to be nosy but because there are weight limits they must adhere to for the balloon. Be honest with them....it's really for a purpose and not for random curiosity. Tell them about any health issues, so you can discuss whether it is a good idea for you to fly, or so they can make necessary accommodations. You can even tell them if you are scared to death of taking the flight.  They want it to be a good experience for you and often can talk you through those fears.

Most of our pilots offering rides have full baskets for the weekend before BalloonFest gets here, so make plans now if that is something that you want to do. I took my first ride at Carolina BalloonFest years ago, and I loved every second of it. I hope the same for you. So go ahead....give it a try. Wave at the crowd as you descend up in the air. And don't forget your camera...this will be the photo op of a lifetime!  Book a Ride

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The Heart of the Festival

9/20/2015

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Yes,  you can see them on the horizon, Statesville.... the balloons are coming and Carolina BalloonFest is about a month away. We're getting excited.....how about you? Our community has such a great history in hot air ballooning and we are continuing to make history every single year. We'll talk about that as we lead up to BalloonFest, but I think we need to begin by talking about what most of us feel is even more special....the reason why we do what we do.

Almost every person you see working at Carolina BalloonFest is a volunteer. A lot of volunteers are required for an event of this size, and Statesville shows up! Most represent the charities that will share in the profits from  Carolina BalloonFest, but some come out simply because they love the event and want to help make sure it is a success. Last year over $82,000 was given out to local charities.  An outstanding result of a spectacular weekend.

You may know the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is one of the major charities that benefits from the event....and it is difficult to miss all of the many volunteers that they bring. It's been a great partnership and we welcome them back this year. Many of the Relay volunteers are team members who have been impacted by cancer....both cancer survivors and those who love them. Others work in memory of those who lost their battle with cancer. Will those folks be watching the balloons and the bands from the cloud seats? Perhaps....give them a wave just in case!

SCAN is another local charity that will be represented by volunteers at the event. SCAN stands for "Support, Coaching, Accountability and Nurturing" and their purpose is to prevent abuse to children in our community and to create better childhoods, coaching and supporting their parents to build stronger families. We are proud to support this great organization.

You'll also see Scouts and school groups and businesses and individuals who support the event.... all working together to make sure that things run as smoothly as possible. Most volunteers work at least a four hour shift, and get a t-shirt, a parking pass, and gate pass to enjoy the rest of the events of the day.

If you want to help support our local charities, want to work for your admission to the festival, or simply love the event and want to lend a hand, please sign up to volunteer with us. It's quite an original way to raise money for charity.....and we think a good one. Carolina BalloonFest is about much more than balloons gracing our skies..... we're raising money for some great charities. But it does take quite the volunteer labor force.....are you willing to join us?  Check out this link here to get started.  Volunteer!

But if you aren't volunteering this year, please be an encourager to those who are. Most are doing tasks outside of their regular jobs and outside of their comfort zone. Some have never volunteered before, while others have volunteered for many years. Most will not know all of the answers....but will do their best to find them. Give them your smile, a high five, and let them know what a great job they are doing! They're investing their time for a good cause....working long hours for no pay...but yet doing their best to make the event special for all of our guests. Hooray for the volunteers....and for all of the great charities that we all get to support through Carolina BalloonFest!

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Rain or Shine... Carolina BalloonFest is open October 15-17, 2021!  
Hot Air Balloon Flights are scheduled twice daily; early morning & late afternoon. All ballooning activities including static display, tethered rides and balloon flights are weather-dependent.  The decision to inflate hot air balloons is made just prior to the scheduled ballooning activity.  Please note that due to the popularity of our festival, our admissions booths will close when we reach maximum capacity. This is a decision out of our control and made by local law enforcement.  Tickets are non-refundable. National Balloon Rally Charities donates a portion of our festival proceeds to other local nonprofits and surrounding community agencies. 
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©2020 National Balloon Rally Charities, Inc. is an incorporated 501(c)(3) charitable organization and all contributions are tax deductible. A portion of proceeds raised through Carolina BalloonFest are distributed to local nonprofit organizations. ​PO Box 267 ~ Statesville NC 28687
Festival Location is near Statesville Regional Airport at 260 Hangar Drive, Statesville, NC 28677. ​Parking will be available on site and at park and ride. NO ROADSIDE PARKING - vehicles will be towed where NO PARKING signs are posted. Walk in spectators will not be admitted. Ticket scanning will be in progress.

©2020 National Balloon Rally Charities, Inc.       Site Designed and Lovingly Cared for by Haley Jones 
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