Caledonia Argus

Bluff and Valley Balloon Rally is this weekend

Posted: 12/3/02

Throw on some warm clothes, rustle up the kiddies, and head on out to the Houston County Airport for the Bluff and Valley Balloon Rally December 6-7. The first liftoff is at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, with another liftoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. that afternoon. Festivities continue Sunday with a final liftoff at 7:30 a.m.

The rally is open to the public and there is no admission charge.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a hot air balloon stamp cancellation will take place at Kingston Court by the US Postal Service. Bring your Christmas cards in for a special cancellation stamp!

Twenty-one pilots are scheduled to be at the rally, and pilots in each liftoff will compete in a Hare and Hound Race in which one balloon takes off five minutes before the others; the pilot lands at his discretion and lays a target on the ground. The other balloons locate the target and drop beanbags on it, the idea being to get as close to the target as possible. Bragging rights and a small monetary prize are awarded to the winner.

The public is invited to meet the balloonists at a brunch Sunday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Good Times.

The balloon rally coincides with a number of other events set to take place in Caledonia this weekend. The Houston County Historical Society is hosting An Old Fashioned Christmas in the Museum Complex at the Houston County Fairgrounds. Attendees will be treated to displays of old Nativity sets, a toy truck collection, a paper doll display, in addition to a number of other displays and activities. The event is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on December 7 and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on December 8; admission is free.

The traditional Rotary Soup Supper will begin at 4:30 and serving will continue until the parade begins at 7 p.m.

The 14th annual Founders Days parade begins at the Lutheran Home, travels south on Pine Street, west on Main and south on Kingston to Merchants Bank. This yearís theme is
Holiday Dreams.î

The winner of the Sesquicentennial Button contest will be revealed at the sing-along that follows the parade Friday evening in the Caledonia City Auditorium. The button will be used to promote Caledoniaís sesquicentennial celebration in 2004. The winner will receive $150, courtesy of Community First Bank.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit children in the auditorium after the parade.

The Lions Club is hosting a euchre tournament in the basement of the City Auditorium on December 7. There is an entry fee of $5; sign-up is at 1030 a.m. and the first shuffle is at 11 a.m.

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