COSHOCTON, Ohio – A rainbow of colors of a different sort will dot the skies around Coshocton June 7-9 during the 21st annual Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival.
The Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival invites as many as 30 professional hot air balloon pilots from around Ohio and surrounding states. Points earned during the weekend of tasks apply toward qualifying to compete at the North America Balloonists Association nationals.
Competitions are open for viewing by the public – admission is free. Launch windows for Saturday and Sunday begin at approximately 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., wind and weather permitting. A sponsor’s “Fun Flight” is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday.
All activities originate at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds, though some of the actual hot air balloon tasks may be assigned outside of the city, depending on wind direction and the balloonmeister’s choice of location of the target for that particular flight. (Most flights, however, either launch from or target the infield of the fairgrounds racetrack.) In the past, pilots also have used area golf courses, parks, schools and country roads for launch and target sites.
At the conclusion of the flights, many pilots return to the fairgrounds to inflate their balloons in the dusk in front of the grandstand that illuminates the color and designs of each balloon.
Other activities. Daylong activities scheduled at the fairgrounds include adult and children’s carnival rides, stage shows for all ages, concessions and a gift and craft show. Among the new stage shows planned is a children’s magic show by Ronald McDonald.
The local chapter of the Gold Wing Motorcycle Association will gather in Coshocton for the weekend, providing an eclectic display of very fanciful paint schemes and highly interesting motorcycle accessorizing.
For more information, visit www.coshoctoncountyonline.com or contact the Coshocton County Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 905, Coshocton OH 43812; 800-338-1830.
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