Chamber gearing up for balloon rally

Wednesday, October 6, 2004

A balloon crew struggles to launch on a windy Saturday morning during last year's High Plains Freedom Flight. (Gloria Masoner/McCook Daily Gazette)

Less than a month after a successful Heritage Days, the McCook Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for another spectacular event.

The first balloon festival was held in McCook 21 years ago. Now known as the Freedom Flight, the McCook festival is continuing to grow since it was revived in 2001.

This year, 20 balloons are expected to fill the skies over Southwest Nebraska during the weekend of Oct. 15-17.

The event will kick off Friday night with a sponsor-pilot get together. The balloons will be launched from the McCook Airport at sunrise, Saturday and again that afternoon.

The pilot/sponsor dinner will be at the Heritage Hills Club House Saturday night.

The balloons will once again take off from the airport Sunday, followed by a brunch for sponsors and pilots.

The public is invited to attend all of the balloon launches at no charge. Sponsors who purchase either a silver sponsorship for $200 or a gold sponsorship for $400 are invited to the social activities.

In addition to the social activities, sponsors will receive a advertising banner and clothing. Gold sponsors will also receive one ride on one of the balloons for two people.

To learn more or become a sponsor, contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at (308) 345-4200.