UP, UP AND AWAY: BALLOON FEST TO COLOR SKIES THIS WEEKEND

Beverly Strohmeyer's curiosity about hot air balloon competition superseded her fear of heights during the 1993 Balloon Fest. So she decided to act on an invitation and find out what all the fuss was about.

Much to her delight, Strohmeyer was rewarded with an experience that will make her a more knowledgeable and appreciative spectator for this year's event.

"There is no sensation of actually moving up when you make your ascent," said Strohmeyer, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts, the sponsor of Balloon Fest 1994. The event, set for July 22-24, will take place at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport. Admission is free. There will be a nominal parking fee at the airport.

"What happens when you look down is that it looks like the ground dropped out from under you," said Strohmeyer. "It is so quiet when you're moving, you can actually hear what's going on down on the ground. I enjoyed it."

Strohmeyer will keep her feet planted firmly on the ground for this year's Balloon Fest as some 45 hot air balloon specialists like Steve Wilkinson compete for the championship. The hot air balloons will be launched after a pilot briefing at 6:30 p.m. at the Cape Airport Terminal. This year's theme is up, up and away.

Wilkinson, a self-employed balloon pilot from Thermal, Ca., will return to defend his title. He has also won hot air balloon championships in California and New Zealand.

Greg Hanson of House Springs, Mo., will compete in "Hagar the Horrible" while Jim Ireland of Lincoln, Ill., will take his chance with "Gone With The Wind."

Rodger Johnson of Tyler, Texas will be piloting "The Tyler Rose."

Strohmeyer said the winner of the hot air balloon competition will be tested for skill rather than speed.

"The balloon competition is not really a race," she said. "It's more a test of skill to see who gets his marker closest to the target, which is designated by a bean bag."

In addition to the hot air balloon competition, there will be tethered balloon rides, weather permitting and a balloon glow will take place at dusk.

"The tethered rides are kind of fun for the kids or anybody else who might want to see what that is like," said Strohmeyer. "For $5 you go up about 20 or 30 feet for two or three minutes. It gives you an idea what it is like to be in a hot-air balloon."

There will also be seven corporate balloons to dot the skies over the Cape Municipal Airport.

At noon on Friday skydivers will jump from planes flying over the Cape Municipal Airport.

On Saturday there will be a pancake breakfast, aircraft displays, arts and crafts and food concessions. Pancakes will be served in the Runway Restaurant, which is located in the airport terminal, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The arrival of the Confederate Air Force 5-25 and T-6 planes will take place Saturday. There will be static displays of various aircraft along with tethered balloon rides at the Airport Launch Field.

A competitive flight will take place at the Airport Launch Field.

On Sunday a competitive flight will take place. Awards will be bestowed at the Runway Restaurant at the Airport Terminal.

Volunteers are needed for Friday evening to serve as crews for each balloon. Crews will help get balloons launched for the tethered rides and balloon glow.

"An event of this magnitude doesn't just happen by itself," said Bob Steinberg, chairman of the Balloon Fest 1994 Committee. "It takes a lot of resources, both financial and human, to make it all happen."

Anyone interested in participating is urged to call the Arts Council office at 334-9233.