Lake Gaston Resort Hot Air Balloon Classic Huge Success!

The Lake Gaston Resort Hot Air Balloon Classic held on May 19-21, 2000 was a huge success. The event was bigger and better than last year's event and included great entertainment, games and rides for the kids, craft vendors, commercial displays, good food and world class pilots. This year's purse of $12,000 ensured that our pilots put on a good show. Although threatening weather kept the pilots on pin and needles, they were able to get several flights off and provided the spectators with a beautiful balloon glow on Friday evening. Competion was very stiff for the purse, but skill and talent were exhibited by all pilots who competed.

The winners were:

1 Bruce Bussey

2 Henry Rosenbaum

3 Brina Trapp

4 Clinton Egerton

5 David Cimini

6 Dennis Welser

7 Bubba Winston

8 Tom Tomasetti

9 Shane Robinson

10 Steve Davis

Congratulations to the Winners!

Approved for Release - May 23, 2000 Lake Gaston Resort

Balloon Festival Event Schedule

For Tickets Call - 888-830-9901

The preliminary schedule of events for the weekend are as follows:

Friday

4:00 PM - Gates Open

5:30 PM - Competitive Balloon Launch

6:30 - 8:30 PM - Music Entertainment

8:45 PM - Balloon Glow

Saturday

6:00 AM - Competitive Balloon Launch

9:00 AM - Rides, Games and Crafts open

11:00 AM - Nash Line Dancers

11:45 AM - Rapid Heart Band

12:30 PM - Stony Creek Cloggers

1:00 PM - Entertainment - Rapid Heart Band

3:30 PM - Loving Country Line Dancers

4:00 PM - Entertainment - Flashback Band

5:30 PM - Competitive Balloon Launch

6:30 - 8:30 Entertainment - Flashback Band

8:45 PM - Balloon Glow

Sunday

6:00 AM - Competitive Balloon Launch

9:00 AM - Rides, Games and Crafts open

11:00 AM - Music Entertainment

4:00 PM - Gates Close

Tethered Balloon Rides, Games and Craft Vendors all 3 Days!

Balloon Festival 2000!

More and more details are being finalized for this year's balloon festival. Entertainment and diversity are the words that best describe the event this year. Approximately 30 balloons will compete for $12,000 in prize money by flying "Hare and the Hound" races and by performing spectacular nighttime balloon glows. At the time this newsletter was written, other entertainment scheduled for the weekend included Disc Jockeys, bands, craft vendors, games such as simulated parachute jumps, a Titanic slide, a climbing wall, a petting zoo, tethered pony rides for the children, a magician and special appearances by football greats Babe Parilli and Billy Kilmer (see accompanying article).

Admission to the event is $5/day or a weekend pass is available for $10 in advance. Club members and guests with guest passes will be admitted for $3/day or $7.50 for a weekend pass. Children under 10 are free but must be accompanied by an adult while in the festival grounds. Weekend passes must be purchased by May 17th . Call 888-830-9901 to purchase your Weekend passes prior to that date.

Many suggestions from last year's event have been implemented this year. For example, tethered balloon rides will be offered the entire weekend for as long as the weather (temperature and winds) allows. During the times tethering is not possible, a balloon basket will be on display. Additionally, re-entry to the festival grounds will be allowed so that attendees may come and go as they wish. Golf carts will not be allowed in the festival grounds but motorized carriages designed specifically for handicapped individuals will be allowed. Check the website for more updates and for a finalized schedule of events. This is the biggest event on Lake Gaston this year... be a part of it!

Approved for Release - 4/27/00

Billy Kilmer & Babe Parilli Coming to The Club!

Former football greats Billy Kilmer and Babe Parilli will be on hand at the Balloon Classic to meet with interested fans and talk football! They both will be there as part of a promotion sponsored by Vital Living, Inc. Souvenir autographed footballs will be available for purchase with all the proceeds going to the Athletes for Youth Program. In addition, both will be available during a private seminar scheduled in the clubhouse only for Club members and their guests. Free coffee and snacks will be offered to those attending the morning session. Specific details and times will be provided in the activities schedule that weekend as well as being available on our website. Come and get your picture taken with Babe and Billy!

Approved for Release 4/27/00

The Club/Lake Gaston Resort Hosts Hot Air Balloon Festival Again in 2000!

THE CLUB/ Lake Gaston Resort is proud to announce that the Lake Gaston Resort Hot Air Balloon Classic will be returning this year for another spectacular event! The event will be held on May19th through the 21st and many new attractions will be featured. In addition to approximately thirty balloons competing for $10,000 in prize money, there will be balloon glows scheduled for both Friday and Saturday nights. There will be expanded time frames for taking a tethered balloon flight, as well as scheduled free flight balloon rides.

It is anticipated that this year's event will include several special shaped balloons as well as several corporate sponsored balloons. The other activities planned at this time include rides, carnival games and food and beverage vendors. Entertainment and shows will be announced in the near future. Plan to attend this can't miss event. Make your campsite reservations now. Reservations for rental units will be taken as follows: Club Advantage members may make reservations for the weekend at any time. Club Charter Owners may make rental reservations beginning March 1. All other members may make rental reservations beginning April 1. Come to your resort and experience this beautiful event!

Approved for Release - 2/1/00

Lake Gaston Resort Hot Air Balloon Classic Planning Continues

Plans are being finalized for this years balloon fest and this years event promises to even top last year's. The event will feature more balloons, a balloon glow both Friday and Saturday night and lots of fun entertainment and activity.

The Balloon Festival provides an excellent opportunity for area non-profit organizations to earn money. The local fire departments, rescue squads and several Chamber of Commerce offices all jump on board to help make the event a success. There is still space available for your non profit organization.

Display space is still available for craft and commercial vendors and Club Members are provided a discounted rate. Last year's vendors reported great sales as a result of the event and this year's promises to be even bigger.

The balloon pilots come from all over the country and most do not travel with enough crew to handle their crewing needs. This is a fun and exciting way to get to experience the festival (and balloon pilots have been known to treat their crew to a "thank you" balloon flight)!

Area schools are invited to a special education day on Friday, May 19th and are able to touch the balloons, meet the pilots, get any of their hot air balloon questions answered and enjoy a picnic lunch before they return to school. If you would like information on how your school or favorite student's class can participate, give us a call.

For details on how you can participate in this year's festival call Debbie Border on (804) 577-2193

Approved for Release - 4/1/00

The Club/Lake Gaston Resort Hosts Hot Air Balloon Festival!

The Club/Lake Gaston Resort hosted a spectacular Hot Air Balloon Festival the weekend of May 21-23, 1999. The event was coordinated by the Developer of The Club Resort located in Gasburg, Virginia in conjunction with the Brunswick County Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce (Halifax, North Carolina).

 Twenty-nine privately owned balloons competed for $8,000 in prize money. Balloon races were conducted Friday evening, Saturday morning and Sunday morning. A special "Balloon Glow" lit up the sky Saturday night as a special demonstration was provided by the balloon pilots. Corporate sponsored balloons added to the excitement and splendor of the event. The Eagle Balloon was present to overlook the festivities Friday and Saturday nights.

"Pink Passion", Flown by Mark Meyer of Fayetteville, NC was one of the beatuiful balloons on hand to give spectators and press personnel hot air balloon rides through the Virginia and North Carolina countryside! Sharon K. from Lexington Park MD was one of the people who went in "Pink Passion" and who later said that she throughly enjoyed her very first hot air balloon ride!

Over 7500 people attended the event to see 28 hot air balloons decorate the sky Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

Approved for Release - May 24, 1999 Lake Gaston Resort