36th Annual Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race Starts June 4

T2F Note: Helen is such a delightful place to visit anytime of the year. Our staff has enjoyed Helen since the 1970s. The hot air balloon race in Helen is the recipient of this week's highly coveted Fayette Front Page Day Tripper Award.

June 4, 5, 6, 2009
"From the center of the world to the edge of the Earth"

The long distance race to the Atlantic begins, weather permitting, at 7:00 AM Thursday, June 4th, 2009. If it is too windy or storms are forecast, take-off will be postponed until conditions are acceptable for flight.

This race, the only long distance hot air balloon race in the world, begins in Helen, Georgia. The finish line is I-95--anywhere between Maine and Miami. If no one has crossed I-95 by 8:40 PM June 5th, the balloon closest is declared the winner. The shortest distance is 225 miles and the race usually takes two days. It has been done in one day, while some races have taken as many as four days. Six to eight balloons enter the cross country race. Prevailing winds of the area usually take the balloons southeast of Helen across South Carolina, however, contestants have finished
in North Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.

While the competition to the Atlantic continues, other balloonists compete in local events beginning Thursday, continuing Friday and Saturday with approximate flight times of 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Many experiences are available to the public; assisting with inflations, being part of a chase crew or taking tethered rides.

Ballooning in Helen is especially challenging because the Alpine Village is surrounded by National Forest and State Parks. However, it is well worth the added effort when you can look down from just above the tree tops at the vast woodlands, streams and waterfalls, perhaps catch a glimpse of deer, or watch a peregrine falcon snare his dinner in flight.

The Helendorf River Inn & Conference Center is sponsor and headquarters as it has been since 1974. While at the Helendorf, the pilots, their families and crew stay busy with picnics on the patio by the river, tubing, walks to waterfalls, buggy rides, an afternoon at the amusement park or playing a round of golf, gold panning, visits to the museums and shopping.

Tarp Head, our Balloonmeister and co-sponsor, crewed for the first race in 1974. As time passed he became a contestant, winning in 1980. That year his interest in ballooning became his vocation. He formed Head Balloons, Inc. one of only five balloon manufacturers in the United States.

Common Sense Conservation, founded by Earl Miller, has co-sponsored the race for many years. In 1995, Earl achieved his goal of finishing first after many years placing 2nd and 3rd in the Helen to the Atlantic Race.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

JetBlue Airways Announces a Four-Day Sale for Flights in Four Regions

Select Flights to/from Atlantic, Midwest, Western and Caribbean Destinations On Sale

(PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq:JBLU) today launches a 4-Day Sale for select flights to and from four regions in the low-fare carrier's growing route network: the Atlantic, Midwest and Western regions of the United States, and the Caribbean. Flights must be booked online at www.jetblue.com by January 25, 2008.

ATLANTIC U.S.: In the Atlantic Region, fares for Pittsburgh, PA flights start at $49(a); Richmond, VA fares start at $59(a); Raleigh/Durham, NC fares start at $69(a); and Charlotte, NC fares start at $79(a). Select flights within the continental U.S. to and from two popular Florida destinations are also on sale. Fares for flights between Fort Lauderdale, FL and New York/JFK, New York/LaGuardia and Washington's Dulles International Airport start at $104(a). Flights between West Palm Beach, FL and New York/JFK and New York/LaGuardia are available with fares as low as $104(a). Sale fares for flights between West Palm Beach and Newburgh, NY start at $99(a).

MIDWESTERN U.S.: Both destinations connected with JetBlue service to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport are on sale. Fares for flights between Chicago, IL and New York/JFK start at $69(a). Fares for flights between Chicago and Long Beach, CA start at $99(a).

WESTERN U.S.: Select flights are on sale to and from several JetBlue destinations in the West. Fares between San Francisco, CA and Salt Lake City, UT start at $59(a). Fares between Oakland, CA and Boston, MA start at $139(a). San Jose, CA flights to and from both New York/JFK and Boston, MA are available with fares as low as $139(a). Fares between San Diego, CA and Washington, D.C./Dulles also start at $139(a). In addition, fares for flights between Las Vegas, NV and Washington, D.C./Dulles start at $99(a) and for flights between Las Vegas and New York/JFK start at $149(a).

CARIBBEAN: Select routes to and from sunny Caribbean destinations are on sale. Fares for flights between Orlando, FL and Puerto Rico (Aguadilla, San Juan and Ponce) start at $79(a). Fares between New York/JFK and Nassau in The Bahamas start at $99(a). Between New York/JFK and Aruba customers may take advantage of fares as low as $139(a).

Sale fares must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. MT on Friday, January 25, 2008 and require up to a 14-day advance purchase. All travel must be completed by March 12, 2008. Travel outside the continental U.S. must take place Monday-Wednesday for southbound travel and Tuesday-Thursday for northbound travel. All other travel must take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Saturday. Blackout dates and other restrictions apply (a).