HOT AIR BALLOONS RETURN TO CAPE JULY 23

Thirty-five of the nation's best hot air balloon pilots will compete later this month for $10,000 in cash prizes during Balloon Fest '93.

The three-day competition will test each pilots' manueverability skills. Competition will take place at both the Cape Girardeau Airport and the Show Me Center. It marks the second year for the Balloon Fest, under the sponsorship of the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts.

The event will include four rounds of competition, with the first taking place at the Show Me Center, Friday, July 23, at 6 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., a Balloon Glow will take place at West Park Mall.

"The balloons will line up, while tied to the ground, and simultaneously illuminate. This will provide a sight that will sure to amaze one and all," said Balloonmeister Rob Schantz. Tether rides will be available.

On day two of the competition, the first flight will take place at 6 a.m., launching from the Cape Girardeau Airport and the second flight will begin at 6 p.m. from the Show Me Center.

Sunday, July 25, marks the final day of Balloon Fest '93 competition with flights starting from the Cape Girardeau Airport at 6 a.m. The awards ceremony and new airport terminal dedication will take place following the conclusion of Sunday's flight. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

All scheduled balloon flights are subject to weather constraints.

The judging will be based on maneuverability skills, not on speed. Since winds blow in different directions at different altitudes, hot-air balloon pilots steer their balloons by changing altitudes. The pilot's objective is to maneuver his or her balloon as close to a distant "X" that has been laid out on the ground, and drop a bean bag as close as possible to the center of the "X". The pilot whose combined four drops measure the smallest distance from the center of the "X" will be crowned the winner.

In conjunction with the Balloon Fest, the arts council will conduct a photography contest. Photos must be taken during one of the three days of the event.

All entries should be submitted to Beverly Strohmeyer at the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts, P.O. Box 901, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702. For further information call (314) 334-9233.

"Sponsorships are still available for those interested in being involved," said Linda Minner of the Chamber of Commerce.

Major sponsors for the event include: First National Bank, KBSI Fox 23, West Park Mall, Cybertel, Cape West Rotary Club, and the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Participating sponsors include: Kohlfeld Distributing, JCPenney, Saint Francis Medical Center, Boatmen's Bank, Schnucks, Drury Lodge, Cape Central Airways, Port Cape Girardeau, Holloway Floor Covering, Lone Star, Lorimont Development, Wehrenberg Theaters, Capital Bank, State of Missouri Tourism, Dana Corporation, and Southeast Hospital.