39th Annual Helen balloon race, festival begin Thurs.

HELEN - The South's oldest balloon event and the country's only long distance hot air balloon race will begin (weather permitting) with a mass ascension of 30 hot air balloons in Helen, North Georgia's Alpine Village, Thursday morning. Race competitors and local fliers will take to the sky at 7:00. If the weather conditions are too windy or storms are forecast, the take off will be postponed until conditions are acceptable.

The people of Helen believe that their town is the center of their world and in Columbus' day the Atlantic Ocean was the "edge of the Earth." Thus, Pete Hodkinson came up with the concept for the Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race. The race begins in Helen and the finish line is I-95 (anywhere between Maine and Miami). The shortest distance is 225 miles and the race usually takes two days. It has been done in one day, while some races have taken as many as four days. Six-to-ten balloons will be competing in the cross- country race.

The winner will be the first balloon to cross I-95, or is ahead at sunset on Friday.

While the competition to the Atlantic continues, other balloonist compete in local events around Helen beginning Thursday evening about 6:00. Local flying events will take place also on Friday and Saturday. The balloons will fly around 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day (weather permitting). The balloons will only fly for one-to-two hours. There will be many opportunities available for the public: assisting with the inflations, being a part of a chase crew, taking a tethered ride in a balloon or a champagne flight over the mountains. There will be approximately 20-25 balloons flying locally.

There will be no ballooning activities during the middle of the day.

(Click on the link below for more on the activities planned in Helen this weekend.)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/5/249096