Freedom Weekend Aloft
Simpsonville, SC USA
2010
This Memorial Day Tradition boasts a number of different attractions – other than balloons. Just some attractions of note are a 5k, carnival activities, and concerts by Corey Smith, Luke Bryan, and Blues Traveler headlining on successive nights beginning on Friday with Smith.
On the ballooning side Event Director Sam Parks has scheduled seven flight windows beginning with a Media Flight Friday morning and finishing with a fun flight on Monday night. Prize money will be paid both overall and on a “per task” basis. This system should allow for all 72 pilots to have a piece of the prize purse.
Saturday Morning Update:
Rain developed as a pop up thunderstorm Friday night which canceled the flight, and unfoturnately the system is located along a stationary front and decided to stick around into Saturday morning. Should be another hot and humid day with a chance of afternoon Thunderstorms for Saturday evening. Stay Tuned.
Saturday Evening Update:
For the second time in as many days Event Director Sam Parks was forced to cancel the scheduled evening flight as thunderstorms were threatening the area. The storms ended up staying out of the immediate area around the launch field which allowed for about 15 balloons to inflate for a static display. The weather is looking much more promising for the morning as 72 pilots will look to log their first competitive tasks of the weekend
Sunday Morning Update
Pilots arrived this morning to dense fog and low ceilings. After several weather holds and even a brief green flag Event Director Sam Parks was forced to cancel flights for the second consecutive morning. We'll try again Sunday evening and then conclude the Championship Monday morning with the final competitive flight
On the ballooning side Event Director Sam Parks has scheduled seven flight windows beginning with a Media Flight Friday morning and finishing with a fun flight on Monday night. Prize money will be paid both overall and on a “per task” basis. This system should allow for all 72 pilots to have a piece of the prize purse.
Saturday Morning Update:
Rain developed as a pop up thunderstorm Friday night which canceled the flight, and unfoturnately the system is located along a stationary front and decided to stick around into Saturday morning. Should be another hot and humid day with a chance of afternoon Thunderstorms for Saturday evening. Stay Tuned.
Saturday Evening Update:
For the second time in as many days Event Director Sam Parks was forced to cancel the scheduled evening flight as thunderstorms were threatening the area. The storms ended up staying out of the immediate area around the launch field which allowed for about 15 balloons to inflate for a static display. The weather is looking much more promising for the morning as 72 pilots will look to log their first competitive tasks of the weekend
Sunday Morning Update
Pilots arrived this morning to dense fog and low ceilings. After several weather holds and even a brief green flag Event Director Sam Parks was forced to cancel flights for the second consecutive morning. We'll try again Sunday evening and then conclude the Championship Monday morning with the final competitive flight
