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Highlands Today

More Than $7,000 Raised At Balloon Festival

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Several hundred people came out Friday night to the second annual balloon glow, which benefited the Boys and Girls Club of Highlands County. Only one hot air balloon was put up because of unstable, high winds. However there was music, dancing, food and a raffle at the event.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: June 6, 2008

SEBRING — Twenty two balloons went up, up and away last Saturday, and in turn, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Highlands County was able to pull down more than $7,000.

Fifty riders paid for the privilege to ride with balloonists from all over Florida.

The event will benefit the general budget of the local club and help defray the cost of scholarships for many of more than 160 participants at the club's summer children's program.

Pam Mooney, of Ridge Florist, and the event manager, said that the second annual balloon festival was huge or "two and a half times bigger than last year's – which attracted 14 balloons – and is only going to get bigger."

More than 500 people on Friday night turned out at Saturday's launch site, at Sebring International Raceway, for "Friday Glow."

Free popcorn and goodies, face painting, Toby's clowns, give-ways, several vendors and raffle drawings were part of the night time lighting of propane burners on the distinctive and colorful RE/MAX balloon.

Mooney said that many in the crowd voiced similar thoughts: "I never realized that the balloons were so big."

A pilot can't handle all the preflight work on his or her own and passengers are often asked to lend a helping hand.

"People were thrilled with all the different colors and sizes," said Mooney. "When setting up and holding on – with the balloons partially inflated – people were excited to see inside."

Professional balloon pilot, Bob Carlton, flew balloons for Disney and Budweiser and flies 230 days a year in the Mount Dora, Sebring, Tampa and Orlando areas. Carlton was thrilled to fly alongside the man who gave him a balloon ride when he first caught the fever, fellow organizer Steve Roberts.

"I started flying the way most of us got into ballooning," said Carlton. "Somewhere we caught sight of a balloon and were so fascinated, we chased it... I was hooked. I got a balloon and learned to fly."

Wally Randall, of the Boys and Girls Clubs, is considering moving the date of the next event to late October or early November to take advantage of cooler temperatures and an earlier dusk time, which would allow the Friday Glow to take place earlier.

For information on the next event or to help the Boys and Girls Clubs, call Mooney at 465-4092.

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