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City of Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo International Balloon Rally

www.PiratesOfTheCanyon.com

The 2007 Amarillo Invitational Balloon Rally "Pirates of the Canyon" promises to be a weekend of spectacular family events with proceeds supporting the Amarillo College Foundation general scholarship fund. The event is presented by the Amarillo Balloon Association and will feature 22 balloons.

The weekend of events begins Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. with a balloon glow in which the 22 participating balloons will inflate and tether after the sun sets across Amarillo. When the heat is added, each balloon lights up like a giant torch in the sky. Activities will be at the Tradewind Airport North Field with public parking off Tradewind Street. Admission for public events on Friday and Saturday is $2 for adults, $1 for children under 10, and $5 for a weekend pass. The Sunday event is free, except for the gate admission at Palo Duro Canyon.

Tickets to a cocktail reception during the balloon glow are still available from the Amarillo College Foundation office, 371-5107. The reception will be in the home of Lindsey and Seth Williams, 3816 S. Williams.

On Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m., the balloons will participate in a "Capture the Pearl" competition flight. The Black Pearl will be the lead balloon in the tradition of a hare and hound contest. Balloons may not inflate until the Pearl has left the ground. Then, the other balloons are allowed to inflate and "chase" the Pearl to its landing site. The three balloons with the closest bean bag to the landing site of the Pearl will win prize money. This competition highlights pilot skills and adds adventure to the rally.

From 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, balloons, pilots and crew will be present at Tradewind Airport North Field for personal interaction with the public and a viewing of a static display aircraft. The balloons will lift off around 4:45 p.m. for a free flight across Amarillo.

Sunday morning at 7:30, the balloonists will gather at Palo Duro Canyon's Amphitheatre to launch a ride through Palo Duro Canyon. The Canyon is generally restricted from aircraft, which makes this event a unique experience for the balloonists. Park officials have opened the State Park for this rare treat to combine the beautiful colors of the hot air balloons with the majestic backdrop of the Canyon. The balloons will fill the skies with more colors than imaginable. Those in attendance will want to bring their cameras for this breathtaking event.

Six of the hot air balloons are from Amarillo and the rest are from Houston, Dallas, New Jersey, New Mexico and elsewhere throughout the U.S. Pilots and crews are attracted to the unique opportunity to fly inside Palo Duro Canyon.

The Yellow Rose of Texas

Amarillo, Texas is located in the Texas Panhanle bordered by New Mexico and Oklahoma. Amarillo is the 14th-largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. While Amarillo is the seat of Potter County, a large portion of the city extends into Randall County. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 173,627 but a July 1, 2005 estimate placed the city's population at 183,021. The Amarillo metropolitan area has an estimated population of 236,113 in four counties.

Government Resources

City of Amarillo | Potter County | Randall County | State of Texas | Federal Government

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