Hot Air Balloon Festival right around the corner

With less than a month to go, plans are in full swing for this year’s 2012 Louisiana Hot Air Balloon Championship Festival. Organizers have been busy promoting the festival throughout the parish, and the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center is being transformed into a hot air balloon showcase. Local organizations have been showing their support for the new parish festival, with the Ascension Parish Government, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s Physicians, Duplessis Auto Group, EATEL, Color Wheel Learning Center, InfiniEDGE Software, nStrumental Designs Inc., Gonzales Police Department, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Burke Kleinpeter, Inc. all signing on as sponsors. “We are so excited to be a part of this festival,” said Sarah Thomas, Director of Visual Operations with Duplessis Auto Group. “To see this type of festival on this large a scale coming into our community is wonderful. This festival will only continue to grow, and by supporting it in its first year at Lamar-Dixon, we are proud to be a part of that growth.” The two-day free festival is being held from 3 – 10 p.m. on Friday, August 3, and Saturday, August 4. The events boasts fireworks, musical acts, food, crafts, merchandise, balloon glows, sky divers, a large children’s area with crafts arranged by the River Region Art Association, a specially created children’s game, and so much more. The event is being tipped as a family-friendly experience, so there’s sure to be something on offer for everyone. Organizers are requesting that no ice chests or animals are brought into the area, but chairs are welcome. For more information on the festival, or to become a sponsor or vendor, please contact Charlotte Guedry by e-mailing charlotte@nstrumental.com. Also, visit the festival Web site at www.ascensionballooning.com.