Look to the Skies, Aug. 8-10

Pennington Hot Air Balloon

Championship Coming Soon

By Emily Holden

The early morning skies are full of color every August. But not just because of the summer sunrises.

The annual Pennington hot-air balloon championship offers viewers a palette of bright hues that spans more than 60 balloons. This year’s championship begins bright and early at 6:30 a.m., Friday, August 8 at Pennington Biomedical Research Center on Perkins Road.

Balloon Ascensions
Balloons will take off upwind from the Pennington field on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning at 6:30 a.m. There will be another mass ascension Friday and Saturday afternoon. Half of the balloons will set up on the field to inflate while the crowd can walk around and chat with the crews.

Balloon Glow
The Balloon Glow will be at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Half of the balloons will inflate on Pennington field and flash burners in synchronization. Following the Balloon Glow is a firework display at 9 p.m.

Parachute Demonstration
The Black Daggers U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team will perform several aerial demonstrations during the championship.

Children’s Activities
The festivities include a Children’s Village with free pony rides, water slides and inflatables, face painting, arts and crafts and a free rock wall.

For more information about the championship, visit laballooning.com