Balloon festival coming to Lake Placid

Sailing silently over the pines and orange groves in a hot air balloon as the sunrise shimmers on the surface of Lake Huntley may seem like a dream. But during the 3rd annual Boys and Girls Club Air Balloon Festival, that dream can become a reality.

Three colorful globes bobbed up and down over Lake Placid on Wednesday to gear up for the event, which will be held Friday, Oct. 16 at Henscratch Farms. The balloon festival starts at 6 p.m. and will feature "night glows" (enormous balloons inflated and lit from within), $10 tethered balloon rides, food, raffles and wine tasting.

At 6:45 p.m., the crowd can expect a parachuting demonstration by Suncoast Skydiving of Wauchula. A live concert by Just Us will start at 7 p.m., playing '50s and '60s music to round out the entertainment.

For those who want to experience for themselves the simultaneous exhilaration and peacefulness of an air balloon ride over Highlands County, rides can be purchased for a balloon launch the next morning, Saturday, Oct. 17. The cost is $250 per person.

One of the pilots will be Jon Thompson, a state champion who has been flying balloons for 30 years. "When people go up in a balloon for the first time, I relive my first ride with them," Thompson said.

Even visitors who don't want to go up in a balloon can enjoy some hands-on experience getting the balloons inflated and lit on Friday night, according to Thompson.

Tickets for Friday's festival are $5 per adult and free for children under 12. They can be purchased at Henscratch Farms, Ridge Florist, Re/Max of Lake Placid or Sebring, and the Blueberry Patch.

Saturday morning air balloon rides can be purchased at Ridge Florist (465-4092) or Re/Max of Lake Placid (465-7818).

Proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County, whose mission is to enable all young people to reach their full potential. The club, which has offices in Avon Park and Sebring, is planning to open a location in Lake Placid, according to executive director Wally Randall.

"We're getting ready to implement an extensive after-school tutoring program," added Randall.

For more information on the Boys and Girls Club of Highlands County, visit www.highlandsbgc.com.

FAST FACTS

Tickets for Friday's festival are $5 per adult and free for children under 12. They can be purchased at Henscratch Farms, Ridge Florist, Re/Max of Lake Placid or Sebring, and the Blueberry Patch.

Saturday morning air balloon rides can be purchased at Ridge Florist (465-4092) or Re/Max of Lake Placid (465-7818).