Pellissippi will be aglow for annual balloon festival

Balloonists create a "glow," one of the events signature moments, at Pellissippi State’s 2006 Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Balloonists create a "glow," one of the events signature moments, at Pellissippi State’s 2006 Hot Air Balloon Festival.

With the Vols' season already deflating and a plethora of comfortable fall weekends to look forward to, it may be time to shut off the TV and get outside for the Pellissippi State Hot Air Balloon Festival.

In its seventh year, the festival continues to expand with more activities, entertainment and, most of all, balloons. Julia Wood, director of marketing and communications at Pellissippi, has been with the program since Pellissippi took it over in 2004. And while the foundation of the festival remains the same, events have been added and expanded over the years. “We started with just one balloon glow,” Wood said, “but it’s one of the most popular events and we now do it both nights.” The balloon glow features the balloons lit up in sequence to a preset soundtrack.

Some of the new events highlighted this year include a live filming of Chef Garrett Scanlan’s popular PBS series, “90 Miles with Chef Garrett,” a kite-flying area and the “Book Nook.” The kite-flying area will be open during Saturday’s festivities and will allow kids, both young and old, to fly kites as well as make their own. The “Book Nook,” also taking place on Saturday, will feature costumed characters reading several classic children’s stories including “Cat in the Hat,” “The Giving Tree” and “The Little Engine That Could.”

Wood offered some advice to festival goers. “Definitely (bring) your camera,” she said, as well as lawn chairs and blankets. The no-no list includes pets, coolers and outside food. Food and drink will be sold by several Knoxville-area vendors. It’s also recommended that you check the weather before heading to the festival. The pilots make the decision whether the balloons will be flying.

Asked what she is most excited for, Wood said, “I’m just hoping for good weather and seeing the balloons taking off. There’s no other sight like it.” The balloon flights take place on Saturday at 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Other activities include a performance by up-and-coming country musician Ash Bowers; the Ultimate Canines will perform a new Hawaiian-themed set of stunts; and Einstein and Friends will deliver a show similar to that seen at the Knoxville Zoo’s “Bird Show.”

“It’s a family fun event,” Wood said, “everything from the Ultimate Canines to Einstein, to the food and arts and crafts. There is something for everyone, and, of course, come out to see the balloons.”

© 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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