Current Light Flashes

Touchstone Energy® Balloon Festival takes flight in May

The 69,000 cubic-foot Touchstone Energy® hot air balloon measures 72 feet tall and 53 feet wide when fully inflated and is a professionally flown and managed, competitive balloon operated by Cooperative Balloon Associates, LLC. Touchstone Energy® is a nationwide alliance of more than 560 consumer-owned, locally-operated utilities, such as WFEC, that provide high quality, affordable service to customers and their communities.


The Touchstone Energy® hot air balloon will soon be one of many balloons floating above Washington County during the upcoming Touchstone Energy® Balloon Festival in Chipley. Six Florida and Alabama Touchstone Energy® cooperatives, including West Florida Electric, will co-sponsor the event Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5.

Festival-goers will have the opportunity to witness spectacular hot air balloon ascensions and, for a fee, can even experience free-flight or tethered balloon rides. The event will feature skydiving demonstrations by the School of Human Flight, the big top antics of the Alain Zerbini Circus, entertainment by local musicians, arts and crafts, concessions, helicopter rides, pony and camel rides, a Ferris wheel and more. Among the festival’s most spectacular moments will be the Night Glow each evening, when the balloons light up the sky in sychronization.

The three-day event will begin at noon and close at approximately 10 p. m. Friday will be a setup day and will be free to the public. Admission for Saturday and Sunday will be $5 for adults, $3 for military personnel, $2 for children ages six through 12 and free for children age five and under. For information or to purchase festival tickets, free flights or tethered balloon rides, call 535-9779 or log on to www.thewctdc.com.

Back to Current Light Flashes


Page created and maintained by West Florida Electric Cooperative, Inc. © 2001.
designed by embryo design