Balloon Fest 2000 will be lifting off in just over a week, and organizers are making final plans.A crew school will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Greenwood High School launch field, according to organizer Claudia Henson.
The class will teach volunteers how to serve as crew members and assist pilots in navigating through Greenwood and Leflore County during Balloon Fest 2000.
More than 100 balloons are expected to participate in this year’s event, according to Balloon Fest chairman Mark Bowie.
Balloon safety, how to put a balloon together and how to inflate a balloon also will be taught in the afternoon session.
Instructor for the class will be balloon pilot Mike Hanson.
Participating as a crew member also has its benefits, Henson said. Crew will be given a three-day pass to Balloon Fest and a crew parking pass.
Anyone interested in becoming part of the crew is encouraged to attend, Henson said.
Balloon Fest will be held June 15-18 at Whittington Park.
One of the latest events added to the schedule is a media race, sponsored by Double Quick.
The media race will take place on Thursday, June 15, just prior to the festival getting under way, said Bowie. It will begin at 5:30 a.m. at the Greenwood High School launch field.
“All the balloon pilots who arrive early will participate,” he said.
The media race is not part of the overall balloon competition for the weekend. Bowie said the race is a warmup competition for the television stations and newspapers.
Cash prizes will be given for the media race based on how the pilots perform in the early morning flight, Bowie said.
Headlining entertainment for Balloon Fest 2000 is country music singer Toby Keith.
Keith has had five or six No. 1 singles. He was recently cited by USA Today as one of the country’s mosted underrated singers.
His compact disk, “How Do You Like Me Now?!” has had tremendous response from fans.
The newest attraction to this year’s festival is the first ever Greenwood Bike Fest. The event will draw Harley Davidson riders from throughout the area to participate in a variety of rides and competitions.
NWA wrestling is back for Balloon Fest 2000. Wrestling drew a large crowd last year, organizers say, and it is expected to be a hit again this year.
A midway carnival will also be open throughout the event, along with a Kids Zone.
There also will be balloon glows each night and balloon competitions each morning and evening.
