Point Of Grace, Sonicflood Headline Balloon Championship
Photo By: Cliff Cheney/Baylor Photography
Competitive hot air balloon races, a free concert featuring Christian artists Point of Grace and Sonicflood, and the colorful nighttime balloon glow will be among the highlights of the third annual National Hot Air Balloon Championship Sept. 3-7, sponsored by Baylor University, Curves International Inc. and 89.9FM KBDE.
The family-friendly events bring to the Waco community a rare look at the beauty of balloon racing at no cost.
"Curves is proud to bring family entertainment to this community using a sport that dares people to dream," said Gary Heavin, Curves founder and CEO and a former Texas state champion balloonist. "Providing the experience of the balloon race, Christian concert and tethering of the balloons at no charge allows us to give back to the community."
The free concert featuring Point of Grace and Sonicflood will be held at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco. Gates will open to the public at 6 p.m. Friday, with Point of Grace scheduled to begin performing at 7 p.m. After dark around 9 p.m., the hot air balloon glow will begin as dozens of balloons light up in a brilliant pattern around the football field. Sonicflood will perform following the balloon glow.
The 50 top balloon pilots in the nation have been invited to bring not only a spectacular balloon glow display but also intense competition in the third annual championship. The races began Wednesday, Sept. 3 and will continue each morning through Sunday, Sept. 7. Balloon racing is a race of accuracy, not speed. The object of the sport is for the pilot to throw a 10-ounce beanbag with a six-foot tail from the balloon onto a 50-by-3 target in the shape of an "X."
For more information, contact Nicole Heavin, Curves International publicist, at (254) 399-9285 ext. 2291 or Lori Scott Fogleman, director of Baylor media relations, at (254) 710-6275.
For a schedule of flight times, visit the Waco Tribune-Herald web site at www.wacotrib.com.