A band touted as the nation's best new country music group, an expanded activity area for children and nearly 80 hot air balloons are on tap for the 2001 Greenwood Balloon Fest, which begins later this month.
Organizers for the event have finalized the festival's entertainment schedule and are working to finish planning the details of the four-day event.
This year's stage performances are highlighted by the Academy of Country Music's "Top New Vocal Duo or Group" for 2001, Rascal Flatts.
The trio of performers reached the top of the country music charts with their song, "This Everyday Love."
Rascal Flatts will perform at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30, and country artist Andy Griggs will follow the band at 10:30 p.m.
Griggs has recorded two No. 1 hits: "You Won't Ever Be Lonely" and "She's More." He is expected to release a new album later this summer.
"I think we have the best entertainment line-up we have ever had," Joe Seawright, chairman of Balloon Fest 2001, said. "Even though we don't have any what you might call superstars, we've got some really high quality acts every night that I think are really going to surprise some people."
The Mississippi blues band, North Mississippi All Stars, will headline the Friday night stage acts.
The band was nominated this year for a Grammy in the "Best Contemporary Blues Album" category.
Thursday's performers at the annual balloon festival include 1964… The Tribute, a band dedicated to Beatles music. Band members perform with vintage instruments and in suits made by the same London tailor that outfitted the Beatles.
Seawright said the play area for children will be expanded this year to include more inflatable games and challenges.
He also said the festival will include three to four NASCAR simulators. Each simulator consists of video game-type units contained in the body of a full-size NASCAR vehicle.
Planners are also hoping to expand Bike Fest, which began last year but was affected by inclimate weather.
Seawright said he expects the Saturday event to include at least 500 and possibly up to 1,000 motorcycles.
Stage performances for Balloon Fest also include local bands. Nashville-based Stoik Oak, which includes Greenwood natives Jeff Crow and Jim Landers, will preform Friday night.
The Ruleville band The Revelators and Greenwood-based Big Luv will both take the stage Saturday afternoon.
Tickets for Thursday, June 28, and Friday, June 29, are $10 each day. Saturday tickets are $15.
Tickets for all three days are available at area banks and Double Quick locations.
