Courtesy of Bard Balloon: “Congratulations to Bill Broker & Uplifting Adventures for the construction and beautiful execution of two, twin, brand-new Bard Balloons designed special shape hot air balloon envelopes.
The pink Llama is named Como Se Llama and owned by Stephanie Maughan from the St. Louis area.
The dark grey Llama is named No Prob Llama and owned by Bill Broker.
These balloons use the BARD Racer profile and use smooth skin gores with no visible lofting between load tapes. With a base volume of only 65k, a total volume of 71.3k, and with those super-tall ears they stand a full 106 feet tall. Using Bard Balloons brand-new second generation FLOATCOAT lightweight fabric in custom dyed colors, these two envelopes only weight 201 lbs each.”
Rise & Shine and have a good time with more than 30 hot air balloons at the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival on September 18-21. Among the special shapes includes Ms. Autumn that is a giant pumpkin with a massive green stem, and Barnstormer that features a cow, horse, pig, farmer and silo; representing the American farmers that feed our great nation. Voluntold is a historical nod to the first balloon flight in 1783 and pilot Gary Moore has incorporated a sheep, duck and rooster into the design to honor the passengers who originally flew and safely landed. Ziggy the Raccoon is ready for adventure, Bud E Beaver weighs 700 pounds, and fans will adore seeing Lovebirds, Fire Dog, and Police Dog on the field.
H-E-B Pilot: Amie Cato Paris, TexasWHISK AWAY Pilot: Matt Robison Fort Worth, TexasPOLICE DOG Pilot: Brian Chase Moscow, PennsylvaniaBUD E BEAVER Pilot: Colin Graham Belgrade, MontanaBARNSTORMER Pilot: David Adler Belgrade, MontanaZIGGY Pilot: Mike Fielding and Michael Wilson Oak Point and Hickory Creek, TexasContinue reading “RISE & SHINE WITH HOT AIR BALLOONS & PILOTS SEPT 18-21”
Tickets are officially on sale for the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival that is themed to “Rise & Shine” on September 18-21. The four-day weekend has exciting new attractions featuring Portillo’s 32-foot long Beef Bus® and a Classic Car Show including Oldsmobile, Chevy, Buick, Pontiac and Cadillac. Thomas J. Henry Law, the largest personal injury law firm in Texas, is sponsoring the Spectacular Pyrotex Fireworks Show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Families can explore the Whataburger Kids Korner Free Art Tent located in the Central Market Kids Fun Zone full of inflatables, slides and rides. Watch the RE/MAX sky divers land on the field, take a tethered ride in a hot air balloon, or climb in the front seat of the ultimate driving machine courtesy of BMW of Plano.
Admission and parking fees are as follows:
$10 General Admission
$5 Kids Ages 3-12
$5 Seniors 65 and Over
FREE for Kids 36” and Under
FREE for Military and First Responders (with valid ID)
$10 Off-site Parking and $15 Prime Parking
$20 All Day Kids Fun Zone Ride Wristband
$50 VIP Plano Symphony Orchestra Concert
Festival Dates & Hours September 18 – 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. September 19 – 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. September 20 – 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. September 21 – 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival will “Rise & Shine” on September 18-21 in a four-day celebration of ballooning at Oak Point Park. The annual event is a family-friendly weekend of activities with magnificent hot air balloons, spectacular fireworks show, carnival rides, fair food, cultural performances, live bands, and local vendors. The Festival is sponsored by H-E-B, Central Market, FOX 4, RE/MAX, BMW, and Whataburger; and funded in part by the City of Plano.
Children of all ages can experience the Whataburger Kids Korner Free Art Tent located in the Central Market Kids Fun Zone full of inflatables, slides and rides. Stroll the park and shop hand-crafted artwork, toys, gifts, apparel and other merchandise from 35 merchandise vendors providing an assortment of décor, artwork and more. Climb in the front seat of an ultimate driving machine, experience exceptional customer service and exclusive offers with BMW of Plano.
“This year we invite attendees to walk inside a cold inflated hot air balloon envelope that will remain laying on the ground. We’ve partnered with Uplifting Adventures to create an experience that allows an inside out view, great photos, and educational facts about the fabric of the envelope, structure of the basket and more. The walk thru is free for all ages,” says Amy Leone, Balloon Operations Coordinator and Vice/Chair – Secretary on the Plano Balloon Festival Board of Directors.
COLD INFLATED BALLOON WALK-THRU SCHEDULE:
Friday, September 20, 2024 @ 4:00 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024 @ 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 22, 2024 @ 7:00 a.m.
Festival attendees are welcome to walk to the end of the field where the envelope of the balloon will be cold inflated and laying down. Walk into the balloon, take pictures, and observe the parts of a hot air balloon from within. Fun favors will be available for children to select from and adults will receive the Parts of a Hot Air Balloon flyer along with the Hot Air Balloon Q&A. Special thanks to Uplifting Adventures owner Billy Broker, a licensed commercial pilot flying Excellence, the official City of Plano balloon.
In celebration of our 45 years, the 2024 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival is going to Light Up The Sky on September 19-22! This year includes 10 big-eared and smiling special shape hot air balloons: Annie the Ladybug, Larry the Bear, Flying Saucer, Ziggy, Amelia Bearhart, Mango the Seahorse, Purple People Eater, Gizzmo, Mr. Z and Haunted Mansion!
Yes, you can take a ride in a hot air balloon, but not fly away. Experience the sensation with a Tethered Ride that takes you up in the air hovering 20-30 feet above the ground for several minutes. This is just the right amount of time to get the feeling of floating, take magical photos and videos, and check “ride in a hot air balloon” off your lifelong list of things to do. Passengers must sign a waiver, be at least six years of age and rides are offered during the festival, weather permitting.
Opening day is Thursday, September 19 and the four-day festival weekend continues through Sunday, September 22. TICKETS are available online or at the gate. General admission is $10 for adults, $5 – kids 3-12 years old, $5 – Seniors 65 and older, free for kids 36″ and under, and free for all Military and First Responders (with valid ID).
MR. Z Pilot: Dan Stukas Central, South CarolinaZIGGY Pilot: Mike Fielding Oak Point, TexasANNIE THE LADYBUG Pilot: Michael Celentano Frisco, Texas
H-E-B Pilot: Amie Cato Reno, TexasWHISK AWAY Pilot: Joshua Cato Reno, NevadaAMELIA BEARHART Pilot: Michael Ford Fort Worth, Texas
GIZZMO Pilot: Matt Robison Fort Worth, TexasLARRY THE BEAR Pilot: Brian Chase Moscow, PennsylvaniaMANGO THE SEAHORSE Pilot: Rollie Little Glendale, Arizona
The 2024 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival is preparing to Light Up The Sky and celebrate 45 years of ballooning on September 19-22. More than 40 pilots with colorful hot air balloons and special shapes will participate throughout the Thursday to Sunday event, funded in part by the City of Plano, the official Balloon Capital of Texas. Since 1980 the Festival has remained dedicated to educating attendees about ballooning and offering other non-profits an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for their programs and services. The Festival additionally showcases approximately 55 vendors, 35+ corporate exhibitors, and more than 2,000 volunteers from across North Texas.
The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival entertainment will feature a drone show, parachute team sky divers, and live music all weekend. The newly added “High In The Texas Sky Drone Show” includes 200 drones by Sky Elements Drone Shows that is replacing the traditional fireworks show due to the continued burn ban in Collin County. Sky Elements recently achieved a Guiness World Records title and continues to spearhead the transition from fireworks to awe-inspiring drone shows. The drone performances will take place on September 22 and 23 on Friday and Saturday evenings, following the balloon* glow events.
Ninja Nation Mobile Obstacle Course will be taking over the field on Saturday, September 23 at the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival. The three Ninja age brackets will compete on custom courses between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Participants must register in advance and sign a waiver onsite prior to participating. Medals will be awarded in each section. All Ninjas will receive a Raising Cane’s Achievement Award for their participation valid for a free Kid’s Meal at any DFW Raising Cane’s Restaurant.
Jr. Ninjas will be challenged with an American Ninja Warrior style obstacle course appropriate for ages 4-6 years old. This course will test speed and agility, starting with the quad Steps and ending with the famous Warped Wall! Ninjas will attempt to navigate the Tik Toks, Swinging Trapeze and giant balance logs just to name a few of the obstacles. The Jr. Division will run the course between 9am and 11am. Medals will be awarded for top 3 athletes in each age and gender division based on their times/completion of the obstacle course.
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