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The RE/MAX of Midland Hot Air Balloon Festival September 16-18 2011
Midland, MI
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
To really appreciate all that Michigan has to offer, call a balloonist and schedule a flight today
Video Clip: Click to Watch
One of the last hot air balloon events in Michigan for 2011 is The RE/MAX of Midland Balloon Festival September 16-18, 2011 at the Midland County Fairgrounds. The event, which kicks off the United Way campaign in Midland, is free to the public with a canned food item for the Food Pantry of Midland County. Balloons will launch weather permitting on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at approximately 7:30 a.m. each morning and then again on Friday and Saturday evening at approximately 6:00 p.m. Skydivers are scheduled at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Saturday evening Balloon GLOWS are scheduled for Friday & Saturday evening at DUSK. This is where the balloon is inflated and tethered to the ground and lit up by the burner. For more information visit: http://remax-midland-mi.com/wwwroot/r/remax-midland-mi/balloonfest.cfm "This event is one of the last hot air balloon festivals in Michigan this year so don't miss this chance to see these colorful gentle giants," says Scott Lorenz, President of Westwind Balloon Company in Plymouth. Michigan balloonists enjoy the country side, open spaces and freedom. Up there, balloon pilots and their passengers hear deer sprinting through the woods before they see them. "It's funny because the deer will see us and follow us across the sky. In fact we spot fish swimming in the lakes and ponds just outside the reach of anglers who know they're there but can't see em," says Lorenz. Those who operate hot air balloons in Michigan love to share it with anyone daring enough to take flight. As an avid hot air balloon pilot since 1982 and fan of Michigan's natural wonders, Lorenz has been fortunate to see the beauty of Michigan from a slightly above the treetops. "Just about every year we fly directly over a great blue heron rookery located on an island in Kensington Park's Kent Lake near Brighton. It's pretty incredible to see dozens of these giant birds with their six-foot wing spans hovering around their nests. We've peered down directly into their bushel basket sized nests with one or two eggs," says Lorenz. "I flew an Ornithologist from the University of Michigan a few years ago and he helped me identify dozens of birds by sight and sound. Now I recognize the sweet call of Sand Hill Cranes half a mile away and tell my passengers to keep an eye out for them. I am fortunate to meet some incredible people in my business and learn something from every flight." "In fact, I flew the Chief Meteorologist from Ann Arbor's Weather Underground. Considering hot air ballooning is 100% weather related I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions about the nuances of Michigan weather at sunrise and sunset. Legendary Detroit guitarist Josh White Jr. even brought his guitar along for a concert in the air. "There's never a dull moment in this business." What's the best time to go? Hot air balloons fly in Michigan May thru October. Lorenz says "springtime is nice, but summer's pretty cool too and you can't beat the fall colors in October!" Most balloon rides last about one hour and Lorenz flies over the woods and streams of Kensington Park. He and several other pilot friends meet at Park 'n Ride area off Milford Road and I-96 (exit # 155) about 2 1/2 hours before sunset. From there he'll launch helium balloons, determine the wind direction, then take a short drive to one of nine launch sites in the area that give the best views and best landing sites downwind. What to wear? Lorenz suggests passengers wear tennis shoes and jeans. He says the air temp "upstairs" is within a couple degrees of ground temp so its not a factor. Cameras and video cameras are highly reccomended to preserve the once in a lifetime moments while flying over the countryside. Flights cost $695 for a private ride which is two passengers and the pilot. All flights are pre-paid. Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover and PayPal are accepted. Gift certificates are available. To really appreciate all that Michigan has to offer, call a balloonist and schedule a flight today, because if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you … the view is better from above. While there are no passenger flights at this event, flights can be arranged later. To Schedule a Fight contact: Westwind Balloon Company- Plymouth, Michigan, Flying over Kensington Park, Brighton, South Lyon and Milford. 734-667-2098 http://www.westwindcos.com/balloon Scott Lorenz, Pilot and Owner. For Balloon Rides contact: Westwind Balloon Company- Plymouth, MI, Flying over Kensington Park, Brighton, South Lyon and Milford. 734-667-2098 http://www.westwindcos.com/balloon Scott Lorenz, Pilot and Owner. About Scott Lorenz Scott Lorenz, President of Westwind Balloon Company, has been a commercial balloon pilot since 1982, and has logged 1,550 + hours as pilot in command in a hot air balloon. Scott's memorable ballooning experiences include: Flying over Niagara Falls, The Great Wall of China, Disney World, the Olympics in Calgary, St. Wolfgang, Austria, Saga, Japan, the Grand Prix in Spain, co-piloting one of two balloons for Mike Howard's Guinness World Record "balloon walk" flight at 19,000 feet, a 20 hour-361 mile Gas Balloon flight with Gordon Boring and handling media relations for Kevin Uliassi's Round the World balloon flights. Lorenz and his balloon exploits have been featured by FOX-2 News, Hour Detroit and The Detroit Free Press. A balloon flight on Westwind Co. was named "most creative date" by It's Just Lunch. Westwind Balloon Company is a member of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, The Balloon Federation of America (BFA) and the Southeast Michigan Balloon Federation (SEMBA). http://www.westwindcos.com/balloon Scott Lorenz
Chief Pilot
Westwind Balloon Company
Plymouth, MI
734-667-2090
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