11th Annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival at Callaway Gardens®

Are you lamenting the end of another summer? Worry not…at Callaway Gardens®, things are looking up …way up …with the return of the Callaway Gardens® Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival for its eleventh year.

Set for September 4-6, 2009, this annual Balloon Festival has something for everyone, from the soaring, majestic, colorful balloons to Callaway Gardens’ unique mix of natural beauty, to its endless helpings of multi-generational activities and events. In fact, when it comes to family fun at Callaway Gardens, the sky is the limit!

Festivities kick off Friday night when guests flock to Robin Lake Beach for the Balloon Glow. Upbeat live music sets the mood as balloons inflate as the sun sets and show their individual colors as they glow against the gorgeous evening sky as guests shout “ready, set…glow!”

On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, it is up, up and away as the balloons head for the open skies (weather permitting) at sunrise and sunset. On the ground, the action continues as Robin Lake Beach plays host to a family festival featuring activities and events for all ages. Choose from tethered balloon rides (weather permitting, fee), a rock climbing wall (fee), bungee jump (fee), sandcastle building, swimming, miniature golf, kite building, t-shirt tie-dyeing (fee), a variety of kids’ craft activities and more.

For the second year, the Radio Control Model Boat and Seaplane Regatta will take the waters of both Robin and Martin lakes. This event, created by a resident of the Longleaf at Callaway community, will include fast-electrics, sailboats and utility boats with demonstrations, competitions and more. More than 150 boats are expected to participate in the array of activities taking place. For more information, visit the Callaway Gardens website.

Don’t miss the very popular Classic Car Show on Saturday. In 2009, more than 100 cars are expected to roll through the gates and add even more color to the already spectacular event.

Meanwhile, the athletically-inclined can enjoy their own adventures thanks to the Callaway Gardens Fitness Series, including a 5K run and Triathlon on Sunday morning. To register, visit www.active.com.

Want to be a part of the high flying balloon action? Sign up to be on a Balloon Chase Crew. Crew members are assigned to pilots and are able to assist the Balloon Team throughout the weekend. For more information, contact Greg Brannen at 706-663-5043 or gbrannen@callawaygardens.com.

Festival admission is $20 per adult, $10 per child ages 6-12, and children five and under are admitted free (admission prices include tax). This price includes access to Callaway Gardens’ and its many attractions. To witness the morning launches, the U.S. Hwy. 27 Beach gate will open at 6:00 a.m. both days. As an incentive to get out early, admission is half-price both Saturday and Sunday mornings before 9:00 a.m.

Stay around and enjoy the entire weekend with friends and family. Ask about the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Weekend Package for two adults and two children 12. This offer includes admission to the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival, Callaway Gardens and its many attractions; a dinner plate on Friday night from one of the Beach Pavilion vendors during the Balloon Glow; four tickets to make tie-dye T-shirts at the Festival on Saturday or Sunday; two tickets for either the Bungee Jump, Rock Climbing Wall or Xcelerator Water Slide; use of the Mountain Creek Inn Fitness Center and your choice of lodging options.

Don’t delay. Call now for reservations at 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) or make reservations online at www.callawaygardens.com.

Callaway Gardens®, is in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus. For additional information, call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) or visit www.callawaygardens.com.

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