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Pennington Hot Air Balloon Championship
in Baton Rouge, LA! 
August 6-8, 2010 in Baton Rouge
6400 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808
Pennington Hot Air Balloon Championship in Baton Rouge is a nationally recognized balloon championship event! Fun for the whole family and a perfect event for a summer weekend in Baton Rouge, the hot air balloon championship is three days of hot air balloons, fireworks, live entertainment, good food and good fun!
Just a few reminders for the families coming out:
· No pets or ice chests
· 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.
The event is free and open to the public with food and gift booths on site, including a sponsored children's playground, which is also free. Parking is free but limited. Visitors are encouraged not only to carpool, but also to bring a blanket and a camera.
Balloon Competition
Each morning you should plan to be at seated the field by 6:30 to see what many people believe is the best time to see ALL the balloons flying and it is generally cooler in the morning. The balloons will take off upwind from the field and will fly over Pennington as they drop a bean-bag marker onto a target.
 Fireworks Display
The skies will glow with spectacular fireworks. A truly unique event because the spectators can be on the balloon field just outside the fireworks safety line, but still close enough to hear, see, and FEEL the fireworks like no other show. The fireworks will begin after the balloon glow each night and will provide a dramatic grand finale. This display is quickly gaining recognition as the best fireworks show in the area.
Children's Village
This year the Children's Village has expanded to include a host 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. Also one balloon will take off followed by another balloon and soon after the other balloons will be gliding the sky.
 Balloon Glow
The evenings after sunset, many people make a special trip to see the balloon glow that resembles huge lighted ornaments. 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.
Friday August 6, 2010
6:30AM-9:00AM 1st Louisiana State Competition
9:00am-4:00pm SITE CLOSED - NO ACTIVITIES
4:00PM-Dusk - Children's Village BREC
4:00PM-10:00PM Entertainment Stage
6:00PM Demonstration Parachute Team
6:30PM Mass Ascension from Field
8:00PM Balloon Glow
9:00PM Demonstration Parachute Team
9:30PM Fireworks Presentation
10:00PM Site Closes
Saturday August 7, 2010
6:30AM-9:00AM 2nd Louisiana Competition / Key Grab for Trailer
9:00am-3:00PM SITE CLOSED - NO ACTIVITIES
4:00PM-Dusk - Children's Village
3:00PM-10:00PM Entertainment Stage
6:00PM Demonstration Parachute Team
6:30PM Mass Ascension from Field
8:00PM Balloon Glow
9:00PM Demonstration Parachute Team
9:30PM Fireworks Presentation
10:00PM Site Closes
Sunday August 8, 2010
6:30AM-9:00AM 3rd Louisiana Competition / Key Grab for Trailer
No ice chests, pets, tents or cabanas, motorized vehicles, or smoking near balloons.
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.org for more info.
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