May 11, 2011 – Frankenmuth, MI – More than 35 of the most experienced hot air balloon pilots in the nation will invade the skies over Frankenmuth, Mich. at the 2nd annual Great Lakes Regional & Michigan State Hot Air Balloon Championships over Memorial Day weekend, May 27 -30, 2011. Thirty-seven balloonists will compete and fly for accuracy in flight tasks and hitting targets on the ground in seven flight attempts over the weekend. The free event is sponsored by the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn and Gordon Food Service along with many other supporters.
“The competing pilots had to qualify for this competition based on their success in balloon competitions in 2010. Twenty of these pilots rank in the top 100 in North America,”states Jim Engel, chief operating officer, Bavarian Inn Lodge, and Event Chairman. Engel is working with the key members of the Balloon Federation of America to orchestrate the competition over and around Frankenmuth.
Pilots from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana Ohio and Michigan will compete to win the competition and be invited to the U.S. Nationals in Longview, Texas in 2012. Seven flight attempts will occurr at approximately 6:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. from Friday morning through Monday morning. This is the first year a “shaped” balloon will join the event. The Post “Sugar Bear” balloon will fly the skies over Frankenmuth.
Held in conjunction with Dog Bowl 2011, the balloon championship features an elite group of 37 balloon teams, assembled by Derrick Jones, executive director of Holiday Balloon Fest, Inc. “We are so pleased to come back to Frankenmuth to team up with the Dog Bowl Olympic events and the Tour De Frankenmuth cycling events,” states Jones.
In addition to viewing the balloon competition, visitors will experience the Balloon Glow Village on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening at River Place Field, giving them an opportunity to walk under and amongst 15 to 20 tethered hot air balloons that glow and flicker in the evening sky. This free event allows spectators to meet the pilots, get autographs and even take pictures with their children in the basket.
A highlight of the event is the free fireworks display on Sunday, May 29 at approximately 9:45 p.m. Bring the entire family to see hot air balloons glowing under a shower of patriotic fireworks, with a special salute to military service personnel.
Piloting hot air balloons is a growing sport that is sophisticated and technical. The use of websites to track wind speeds and directions for every thousand foot level combined with the use of GPS technology allows pilots to better target their destination. This brings an unparalleled precision to the sport. During the morning and evening flights, the pilots will navigate their balloon to certain targets, placed and assigned to them by the officials.
See a complete schedule for the Great Lakes Regional & Michigan State Hot Air Balloon Championships at www.balloons.bavarianinn.com.
