Pennington Hot Air Balloon Championship
in Baton Rouge, LA!

August 5-7, 2011 in Baton Rouge
6400 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808

Bring a blanket and a camera to experience a memorable summer weekend in Baton Rouge jam-packed with three days of hot air balloons, beautiful fireworks, live entertainment and tasty cuisine! The Pennington Hot Air Balloon Championship in Baton Rouge is a nationally recognized balloon championship event!   

This event is free and open to the public with food and gift booths on site. Parking is free but limited, and visitors are encouraged to carpool. 

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While you're in Baton Rouge, check out several of our family-friendly attractions. Kids of all ages will enjoy Blue Bayou Waterpark/ Dixie Landin' Amusement Park. You won't want to miss BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo, Baton Rouge's #1 attraction. Also, check out BREC's Extreme Sports Park, featuring a skate park, BMX track and picnic areas. Make a splash at BREC's Liberty Lagoon, featuring a water playground, lazy river, several pools and water slides!

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Balloon Competition
Each morning you should plan to be at seated the field by 6:30 a.m. to see what many people believe is the best time to see ALL the balloons flying. The balloons will take off upwind from the field and fly over Pennington as they drop a bean-bag marker onto a target.

Children's Village
This year the Children's Village will include a variety of activities, artists, food and fun for the entire family. Some of the free activities include: pony rides, rock wall, water slides/inflatables, face painting, arts and crafts, and much more.

Balloon Mass Ascension
Half of the balloons (approx. 30+) will set-up on the Pennington field and take-off. This event permits the crowd to walk about the field and visit the crews. It is a great time to take close-up pictures of the inflation process. Enjoy the balloons taking off and gliding through the sky.

Balloon Glow
Be sure to check out the balloon glow just after sunset on Friday and Saturday! Half of the balloons (approx. 30+) will inflate on the Pennington field and flash their burners synchronized to the announcer's instructions; "all burn”, “twinkle burn", etc.

Fireworks Display
The skies will glow with spectacular fireworks, and spectators can enjoy the show from the balloon field.  The fireworks will begin after the balloon glow each night and will provide a dramatic grand finale. 
 

Just a few reminders:
· No ice chests, pets, tents or cabanas, motorized vehicles or smoking near balloons 
· Bring your own lawn chairs
· There are usually about 5000 parking spaces between several spaces around Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Police Officers will be helping direct traffic. 

Directions To:
6400 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808 

From New Orleans: 
From I-10 headed west, take the Essen Lane exit. After exiting, take a left and go back under the interstate. Stay on this road and cross the railroad track. Take a right at the Perkins Road/Essen Lane intersection (there is an Albertson's grocery store to the right). Then pass through two red lights. The Pennington Center is on the left in the next block. 

From Baton Rouge Airport: 
Take I-110 south which turns into I-10. At that split, take I-10 east. Exit on Perkins Road. Turn left onto Perkins Road. The Pennington Center is located on the right after several blocks. 

From Lafayette/Alexandria: 
From I-10 headed east, cross the Mississippi River bridge. Take the Perkins Road exit to your right. Turn left onto Perkins Road. The Pennington Center is located on the right after several blocks. 


MORE INFO 
Visit http://www.laballooning.com for more info.