2005 Media Guide
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500 Tytus Avenue Smith Park, Downtown Middletown, OH 45042 July 20-22, 2007 2007 MEDIA GUIDE PRIMARY SPONSOR CONTACT: Ann Mort, Publicity Chair 513-649-4506 Direct contact to Communications Center thru July 23, 2007 513-705-1770 1 5th Annual MidFirst Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival Dates: July 20-22, 2007 Time: Friday, 4 to 10:30 pm, Saturday, Noon to 10:30 pm, Sunday, Noon to 7 pm Grounds will be open early for morning flight viewing —(limited breakfast food items available) Flights: 7 am and 7 pm, approximate flight times, weather permitting Reminder: If the wind is high, balloons don’t fly. Extras: Skydivers, arts and crafts, food vendors, musical entertainment, carnival rides, demonstrations, Indian drum and dance, helicopter & plane rides, balloon discovery center, classic car show, 5K race, Skydiver simulating wind tunnel rides, Splash Pad, playground, skate park. Site: Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave, downtown Middletown Contact: 513-705-1770, www.ohiochallenge.com Cost: $1 adult walk-in admission (Kids 12 and under -FREE) OR $5 per vehicle on-site parking - $20 RV/Bus Parking Organized by: MidFirst Ohio Challenge Committee, a non-profit organization Sponsors: Primary sponsor – MidFirst Credit Union. MidFirst Ohio Challenge is a combined public/ private project bringing together government, business, non-profit organizations and individuals working together for the good of the total community. Why it is special: In 1992, 1993 and 1994, the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships were held at Smith Park in Middletown. The Middletown community enjoyed the balloons so much, this competition event has been welcomed with open arms. The best 30 regional hot air balloon pilots will compete for a $5,000 purse and points toward their national standings. As balloons decorate the skies, over 70,000 guests are expected to enjoy the ground-based festival at Smith Park. !Fifth Anniversary 2007 Marks the fifth year for the Challenge event in Middletown. Many sponsors, chairpeople, pilots and vendors have been loyal supporters of the event for the entire five years. Throughout the program, their names will be designated with the !symbol. Megan Frazer holds the crown line to steady her father’s balloon in preparation for a media flight in 2002. 2 GETTING IN TOUCH Ann Mort, Publicity Chair - 513-649-4506/513-705-1770* Direct contact to Balloon Committee now through July 23, 2007 - 513-705-1770 On-Site - contact any member of the committee--tan colored shirts with balloon logo, most in golf carts. All are in radio or cell phone contact with the central communications office. *Contact for media marking passes Other useful numbers: Manchester Inn (balloon pilot and competition headquarters) – 513-422-5481 Rob Otto – balloon announcer - 248-496-7496 Helicopter Rides - T. J Verrill - 513-827-0280 Middletown Municipal Airport - Jimmy Jonson - 513-320-4480 David Hart - Team Fastrax -513-907-6805 Airplane Rides - Kurt Yearout -513-217-4777 Websites: www.ohiochallenge.com www.visitMiddletown.org www.startskydiving.com www.jumpinstitute.com . Other local events coming up 7/26 Beatles Tribute Band – Eight Days a Week – Smith Park 7/27-28-29 Greek Festival – Sts Constantine & Helen Greek Church 8/9 Classic Rock – Scotty Bratcher Band – Smith Park 8/23 Gospel – The Kingsmen – Smith Park 9/3 SW Ohio Symphonic Band Labor Day Concert – Sunset Park 10/5-6-7 Middfest International featuring The Netherlands – Donham Plaza 11/23-12/31 Light Up Middletown – Smith Park 3 What’s Happening All flights and many outdoor events are weather dependent. Times of specific performances and events may vary from schedule. Balloon launch times may be delayed as pilots wait for slower wind speeds. Balloons fly only in the early morning and early evening hours – just after sunrise and just before sunset when the winds are lightest. Specialty balloons (Fred B Rabbit and the American Rocket) are particularly susceptible to high winds and may not be able to fly even when other balloons are in the air. Reminder: If the wind is high, balloons don’t fly. 2007 MidFirst Ohio Challenge Schedule of Events – July 20-21-22, 2007 Pre-Event: Balloon practice flights Skydiving Training Jumps Tandem Skydiving Jumps with area VIPS Throughout the weekend: Indian Village Display Kids Discovery Center Leap to Learning Skydiving Discovery Center Arts & Crafts Murray Brothers Carnival - $1 tickets (33 tickets - $30) Festival Foods Special Shape Balloons Fred B Rabbit and The Rocket join each balloon flight Baker Bowl Skate Park Playground/Splash Pad Skydiver Simulator Wind Tunnel Ride 4 Friday 9 am-5 pm Airplane Rides/Helicopter Rides 4:00 pm Park Open/ $1 Adult Walk-In Admission (12 and under free) OR $5 On-site Parking 5-7:00 WPFB, 105.9 The Rebel broadcast from site 6:00 Opening Ceremonies National Anthem – Recognition of Sponsors and Elected Officials Presentation of Colors Team Fastrax – Bringing in the 7,500 sq ft American Flag 6-7:00 The Doug Hart Band – Blues/Rock 7-8:00 Balloon Launch from Site (weather permitting) 8-10:30 Slowhand – Eric Clapton Tribute Band 9-9:30 Balloon Glow 9:30-9:45 Team Fastrax – Night jump with pyrotechnic display 10:30 Park Closes Saturday 7:00 am Balloon Launch – Fly into festival site (gates open/free admission/parking) 7:00 Registration for 5K Race 8:30 5K Race – Sponsored by Middletown High School Athletic Boosters 9 am-5 pm Airplane Rides/Helicopter Rides Noon Park Open/ $1 Adult Walk-In Admission (12 and under free) OR $5 On-site Parking 1:00 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration 2:00 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration 3:00 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration 3-5:00 Cold Air Inflated Hot Air Balloon Walk Thru/ $1 donation to charity 4:00 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration 4:30-5:00 Ohio Cardinal Cloggers 5:00 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration 5:30 Thank You Foundation Awards to Soldiers 5:45 -7:00 Daniel Smith - Country Music 5-7:00 WPFB, 105.9 The Rebel broadcast from site 6:00 Team Fastrax – Salute to the Troops –Flag Jump 7-8:00 Balloon Launch from Site (weather permitting) 8:00 Team Fastrax – Skydiving Demonstration 8-10:30 Midnight Special – 70’s Rock 9-9:30 Balloon Glow 9:30-9:45 Team Fastrax – Night jump with pyrotechnic display 10:30 Park Closes 5 Sunday 7:00 am Balloon Launch – Fly into festival site (gates open/free admission/parking) 9 am-5 pm Airplane Rides/Helicopter Rides 10:00 Car Show Registration Noon Park Open/ $1 Adult Walk-In Admission (12 and under free) OR $5 On-site Parking 12-4:00 Classic Car Show 12-2:00 Corky’s Rock and Roll Review –50’s Music 2:00 Team Fastrax Skydiving Demonstration 2:30-4:00 The Rebel/105.9fm Broadcast from Site 2-4:00 Timeless Country Music Band 3:00 Team Fastrax Skydiving Demonstration 3-5:00 Cold Air Inflated Hot Air Balloon Walk Thru/$1 donation to charity 4:00 Car Show Awards Presentation 4:00 Team Fastrax Skydiving Demonstration 4:30 -7:00 Joe Hedges Modern Rock Band 5:00 Team Fastrax Skydiving Demonstration – Water Jump 7:00 Balloon Launch from inside Smith Park (weather permitting) 8:00 Park Closes Entertainers Rob Otto has been Master of Ceremonies for ballooning events in the Midwest for more than a decade. He knows the balloon pilots and has been in close touch with the balloons and their crews. He will offer that personal insight from the main stage to the crowds who watch the launches and events at Smith Park. Rob has been the MC at every Ohio Challenge, and always looks forward to the weekend he gets to spend in Middletown. When not enjoying ballooning he works at Sportsradio 1130 – WDFN in Detroit. Doug Hart The Doug Hart Band – Doug Hart – songwriter, guitar/vocal, The Doug Hart Band plays a blend of blues and rock with original music woven into the performance. 6 Slowhand Slowhand – Chris Smith – Bass Guitar, Joe Mercer – Drums, Rick Bailey – Vocal/Guitar, Daniel White – Guitar, Ray Gooch - Keyboard Slowhand – Eric Clapton Tribute Band – Formed in 1994 in Fairborn, the band looks and sounds like the original Eric Clapton band. Slowhand has performed at The Fraze Pavilion, Ohio State Fair, Lock 3 Live Amphitheatre in Akron, live on WONE, Soaring Eagle Casino in Michigan, featured artist on Time Warner Television, WTUE Radio, Gilly’s in Dayton and many other sites. Midnight Special Midnight special: Erik E Danials-vocals/guitar, Gregg St Charles – Bass Guitar/Vocals, Joey Von Richter – Guitar/vocals, Craig Wilson – keyboards/vocals, David masters – drums/vocals Midnight Special – 70s Rock – In 1976, two Cincinnati bands were slated to perform together—but only one man from each band showed up. The show must go on so they regrouped, called in some friends and Midnight Special was born. The nationally touring group has been one of the country’s premier Rock N Roll bands opening for many headliners. Their playlist is right off the Billboard magazine All Time Greatest classic rock song list. Daniel Smith Daniel Smith – Country – Wrote and sings Thank You – (Tribute to the American Soldier) Thank You Foundation honoring military troops and veterans. Country musician/songwriter with a hit album American Made Corky Corky – Dirk Lavoy – Keyboard/Vocals, Corky Shull - Lead Guitar, Brenda Allen – vocals, Frank Dunn – Drums, Dale Oakley – vocals/Rhythm Guitar, Hank Walters – Bass Guitar/Vocals Corky’s Rock ‘n Roll Revival – 50s – Formed in the Dayton, Ohio area in 2004, the band performs 50s and 60s rock-n-roll music with a style that blends contemporary and original into their own unique sound. Originally two area bands, they joined together for a 50s sock hop event and stuck together to play many Midwestern venues.