It may be February…but organizers of Balloons Over Vermilion are looking forward to mid-July. They have announced some new additions and a new student ambassador class for the event.
Co-Chair Pat O’Shaughnessy says Ms. Jessica Alyea’s 3rd grade class at Northeast Elementary Magnet School in Danville has been selected as the student ambassador class for 2017. The students enthusiastically accepted…even after being informed the selection involves some homework. Local hot air balloon pilots Dean Carlton and Larry Owen visited the student’s classroom to teach them about hot air ballooning. (Note: You can click on the photos to enlarge them.)
As student ambassadors the class is already considering what they want to see in the Kids Zone during Balloons Over Vermilion on July 14th and 15th at the Vermilion Regional Airport.
New for this year’s event is two performances by the Jesse White Tumbling Team on July 15th….and paid rides will be available on a Bell 47 Helicopter. The helicopter is similar to the one seen in the popular TV series M*A*S*H. The Jesse White Tumbling Team was founded by Secretary of State Jesse White and Zach Mitchell. The team consists of youth acrobats who must maintain certain academic standards.
O’Shaughnessy adds tethered hot air balloon rides will be offered again this year. A second handicap accessible balloon will be added this year to accommodate more rides. ‘’We knew there was a pent up demand for balloons and rides but clearly underestimated that desire,’’ said O’Shaughnessy.
Balloons Over Vermilion is also adding more food vendors, and the band line-up is currently being finalized. Information about participating in either capacity is available on the Balloons Over Vermilion Facebook site, www.facebook.com/BalloonsOverVermilion.
