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Lincoln balloon festival takes flight this week
By Patti Welander
p.welander@mchsi.com
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LINCOLN -- All eyes will be on the sky this weekend when 38 balloons take flight at the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival.

The event begins Friday at the Logan County Airport, with a balloon launch at 6 p.m., followed by a balloon glow at dusk. Saturday has a morning fly-in at 6:30 a.m., a balloon launch at 6 p.m., and a balloon glow at dusk. Sunday’s schedule includes only the morning fly-in.

Spectators on Saturday also can watch a performance by the U.S. Army Command Exhibition Parachute Team known as the "Silver Wings." The performance will begin at 3 p.m.

Other activities at the airport include food concessions, static displays, carnival rides, and live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

In addition to the activities at the airport, more than 80 juried artists will display their works in Latham Park, located one block north of the Logan County Courthouse square. Kids will have the opportunity to create their own art work in a special children’s art tent. There also will be a carousel, games, pony rides, and a petting zoo.

Other downtown events include a flea market, car show, wine tent and book sale.

Illinois Viper Plant — More jobs may be coming to the ICG Viper coal mine in Elkhart.

The International Coal Group, which owns the mine, recently entered an agreement with Secure Energy to provide coal to the planned Secure Energy gasification plant in Decatur.

Ira Gamm, vice president of investor and public relations for ICG, said shipments to the Decatur plant are expected to begin in late 2008 or early 2009. ICG is expected to supply Secure Energy with 600,000 tons of coal per year, which will be converted into natural gas.

The ICG Viper mine has 255 workers and is the sole supplier of coal to City Water Power and Light in Springfield. It is expected that the agreement with Secure Energy would add jobs, said Gamm.

Lars Scott of Secure Energy said the Decatur plant is expected to convert 1.4 tons of Illinois coal per year into natural gas.

GO!

Balloon events: Friday, 6 p.m. launch, balloon glow; Saturday, 6:30 a.m. fly-in; 6 p.m. launch, balloon glow; Sunday, 6:30 a.m. fly-in

Other airport activities: 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $5, adults; $1, children younger than 12

Art show: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday

Cost: Free

Info: http://www.lincolnillinois.com/balloonfest/

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Reader comments on this story - 5 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Involved in LABF wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:31 PM:

" Our tax dollars do not pay for this festival. While I may not enjoy our mayor or her antics, I felt the need to clarify. This event is paid for by the vendor fees, admission fees, and from the Chamber coffers. "

Jodi wrote on Aug 26, 2007 3:50 AM:

" Um, the Balloon Fest has been around A LOT longer than the current Mayor. And it's not a waste of money....it actually brings in A LOT of money to Lincoln. The Holiday Inn, alone, is sold out for the entire WEEK because every room is taken by balloon pilots and crews. Not only do visitors spend money in Lincoln while they're here, but so do the artists, balloonists, and everyone else involved with running the Fest. Bah Humbug, Lincolnite.........hide in your house this weekend if you can't stand the thought of people having fun in Lincoln. "

Just A Guy wrote on Aug 21, 2007 6:58 PM:

" How is the Balloonfest a waste of tax dollars? It is great for the tourism section of the county, great for the businesses in Lincoln and something fun for people from the area. Also, isn't the Tourism and Convention Bureau the entity paying for it? "

Another Lincolnite wrote on Aug 21, 2007 2:29 PM:

" The Balloonfest is just another way that our mayor has figured out how to waste our tax dollars! "

lincoln employee wrote on Aug 21, 2007 8:32 AM:

" sooo cool!!! "
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