July 8-10, 2011 Great Mall of The

July 8-10, 2011 Great Mall of the

Great Plains Returning to the festival? Save $2 at the gate by showing “Gofor Olathe,”Blackberry the at free www.goolathe.mobi. Olathe Chamber app, found at the iPhone App Store, the Android Market, or We offer over 100 items from many countries.

Mongolian BBQ Grill, Fresh Japanese Sushi Asian, Japanese & American Cuisine Complete Salad Bar & Dessert Bar

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Wei’s Super Buffet Thank you for your support of the Great Midwest Balloon Fest 2011!

Wei’s Chinese Super Buffet 12225 S. Strang Line Road • Olathe, KS 913-782-6888 • www.weiskc.com

12225 S. Strang Line Rd Olathe, Kansas 913-782-6888 www.weiskc.com

* No cash value. Cannot be redeemed with other special offers. One per purchase/party. Dine-in Your Next Visit to Wei’s Chinese Super Buffet only. Expires September 30, 2011.

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2 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST From the Balloonmeister

Hello and WELCOME to the 2011 Great Midwest Balloon Fest!

The Organizing Committee, SkyCab Balloon Promotions, and the City of Olathe are excited you are visiting our event, and we hope you enjoy the beau- tiful balloons attending this weekend. Ballooning is one of the most magnificent visual sports in the world, and we have approximately 40 balloons, pilots and crews from 13 different states participating this weekend.

I began my ballooning career in 1977, crewing for local balloons in Louis- ville, Ky., and I received my Commercial Pilot’s Certificate in 1988. I fly hot air balloons as well as helium and hydrogen gas balloons and have logged over 1,750 hours flying in 38 states and five countries. In 1996 I started SkyCab Balloon Promotions Inc., and we are a full-service hot air balloon company specializing in corporate balloon programs and hot air balloon event management. We currently own 13 balloons, two of which are flying this weekend here in Olathe.

Our staff will be at the Great Mall of the Great Plains the entire weekend and please feel free to visit with us in the white command trailer on the side of the balloon launch field. We will be wearing brightly colored shirts with “SkyCab” on the chest.

Thanks for attending the Great Midwest Balloon Fest, and I hope you have a great weekend.

Scott McClinton SkyCab Balloon Promotions

This is a MetroMedia Publication, Copyright© 2011 MetroMedia, Inc., 4210 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 314A, Fairway, KS 66205, (913) 951-8440 www.metromediapublishers.com 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 3 From the Mayor of Olathe

Greetings!

As Mayor, I am honored to help welcome all of you to the second annual Great Midwest Balloon Fest on July 8-10 in Olathe. On behalf of the Olathe City Council and our entire community, I want to extend our very best wishes as you celebrate and enjoy an exciting weekend of family fun and spectacular hot air balloons!

The City of Olathe is so pleased and proud to host the Great Midwest Balloon Fest, and we are eager to share with you the wonderful hospitality and support our community is known for.

Olathe is recognized nationally as one of America’s very best places to live, and we are among the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the nation. Our growth and success are the outcome of our outstanding quality of life and the tremen- dous community spirit our citizens embody. We are excited to share that shining community spirit with all of you!

Again, welcome, and we hope that this weekend will be an especially memorable one for you. We look forward to seeing the Great Midwest Balloon Fest become a celebrated tradition in our community for many years to come!

Best regards, Michael Copeland Mayor of Olathe

4 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST From the Executive Directors of the Great Midwest Balloon Fest Welcome!

We are proud to bring you the 2011 Great Midwest Balloon Fest. Last year was our first hot air balloon festival and we learned so much about what to do and what not to do. (FREE parking was a huge request.) The one thing we know for sure is that people of all ages love hot air balloons. They are truly magical and bring out a sense of wonder and awe to everyone who experiences them.

Balloons only fly in the early morning and early evening because of wind currents so we have jam-packed the event with all different kinds of activities and attractions. When the balloons aren’t flying, the powered paragliders are doing acrobatics in the sky, the giant kites are performing their magic, the skydivers are jumping from planes…well, you get the picture.

We have lots of wonderful food vendors, and non-food vendors, climbing towers for the kids, inflatables, puppet shows, Radio Disney live performances, a Black Hawk helicopter, Humvee, and a Bradley tank to experience, KC Chiefs cheerleaders to watch, terrific live bands and entertainers on the Main Stage and so much more.

Since we are a not-for-profit organization, a great part of your ticket price goes to our designated charities. We are pleased to help Harvesters by offering a half-price ticket for Sunday if you bring 5 food items or more. Your ticket price will help build a new hospice house sponsored by Olathe Medical Center, help the Olathe Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund benefit 13 children’s charities in the Johnson County area and help ensure that the services offered by the Wounded Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Riley, Kan., to our returning soldiers will continue.

We hope you will have a wonderful time at the 2011 event and that you will want to tell friends and family not to miss it this year. We’re looking forward to an even bigger and better 2012!

Thanks for helping to make the Great Midwest Balloon Fest an important happening for the entire Kansas City metro area.

Best regards, Robbie and Steve Small Executive Directors

2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 5 Sights to see at 2011 Great Midwest Balloon Fest

Balloon Ascensions The launch, the lift-off, the landing… Balloon Ascensions feature all the participating hot air balloons filling the skies with sound and color, WEATHER PERMIT- TING. Launches will occur at 6:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday mornings, but it’s always difficult to be exact as the winds have to cooperate. Evening launches will be Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m., weather and winds permitting. Balloon Glows All the balloon pilots fire their burners and light up at the same time making the Balloon Glows perhaps the most spectacular part of any balloon festival. The Balloon Glows are scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights at 9 p.m., weather and wind permitting. Balloon Rides Balloons can carry only one person – the pilot – or as many as 12 passengers, depending upon the size of the envelope, the basket and outside weather conditions. Balloon rides can last from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on wind and weather conditions and the direction of flight. Balloons can fly over trees or go much higher – from 50 feet to 2,000 feet, but they only go as fast as the wind carries them – not much faster than 8 to 10 miles per hour. The cost of a hot air balloon ride at the festival is $225 per person. Many pilots require that their passengers be 18 years or older to take a balloon ride; the age requirement is subject to the discretion of the individual pilot. Tethered balloon rides will be available throughout the festival during the time that the balloons are launching. The rider goes up the length of the tethered rope (about 100 feet). When you get into the basket, the balloon goes up until the ropes are fully extended and then returns to the ground. The ride lasts about 5 to 10 minutes and costs $15 per person. Younger children will especially enjoy the tethered balloon rides. What a great view of the festival!

6 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST Caring for your entire family

Olathe Medical Center provides compassionate, high-quality healthcare to the families of our community. Our caregivers work hard to create strong relationships with patients and their families. Our purpose is a simple one: to respond to our Olathe Medical Center communities, their families and their healthcare demands with the highest possible level of medical professionalism, advanced technology, and compassionate care.

We’re there for you, however and wherever you need us.

olathehealth.org

2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 7 Volunteer

Robbie Small and Staff Team Executive Director

Steve Small Laura Rose Mark Rogoff Phil Hermanson Dana Ketterling Co-Executive Director Social Media Director Entertainment Director Public Relations Manager Event Account Manager

Cathy Weaver Philip Wilson Gretchen Robinson Sharon Cohen Beverly Mallin Event Account Manager Operations and Kid’s Zone Co-Chair Kid’s Zone Co-Chair Volunteer Coordinator Equipment Coordinator

Sharon Mallin Terri Yunghans Frank Cherrito Joyce Devine Dave Culver Volunteer Coordinator VIP Hospitality Coordinator Vendor Coordinator (Food) Vendor Coordinator Operations Coordinator (Non-Food)

Frank Newby Scott McClinton Travis Vencel Michael Small Megan Wesley Small Air Activities Coordinator Balloonmeister Assistant Balloonmeister Webmaster Administrative Manager

8 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST Festival gives back to local charities Proceeds from the 2011 Great Midwest Balloon Fest will benefit the following organizations:

Harvesters “Feed hungry people today and work to end hunger tomorrow.” Harvesters is the area’s only food bank. It is a clear- inghouse for the collection and distribution of food and related household products.

Hospice House at Olathe Medical Park The Hospice House at Olathe Medical Park will be built to provide a place for end-of-life care in a home-like environment to people in Olathe and the surrounding community. Hospice House will emphasize dignity and a respect for quality of life no matter how long someone stays in its facility.

Noble Cause U.S.A. Foundation Noble Cause U.S.A. is a charitable, community-based organization that benefits the wounded soldiers and their families assigned to the U.S. Army’s Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Riley, Kan. The mission is to raise awareness and funds to enable the delivery of needed alternative and supplementary therapies and programs of proven value to wounded soldiers and their families in the process of transitioning back to productive civilian life.

Olathe Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund “Touching the lives of Olathe children by giving them hope for a brighter tomorrow.” The fund contributes to such charities as Safehome, Salvation Army, Sunflower House, CASA, Olathe Special Olympics, Catholic Charities and others.

2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 9 Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City

Farmers

10 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST Time Warner Cable Enjoy three days of activities at Great Midwest Balloon Fest Friday, July 8 3 p.m...... Gates open 3 to 11 p.m...... Bands, kids entertainment and activities, military vehicles, inflatables and other attractions 3 to 11 p.m...... Mcde’s River Gem Mining 3 to 11 p.m...... Doug Zubenel, “The Telescope Guy” 4 to 5 p.m...... Military Country Band (Main Stage) 4 to 5 p.m...... Rockin’ Rob – Musical entertainment on Radio Disney Kid’s Stage (ages 2 to 6) 5 to 5:30 p.m...... Silver Wings Skydiving Team 5 to 6:30 p.m...... Chiefs Cheerleaders and KC Wolf presented by Time Warner Cable (Radio Disney Kid’s Stage) 5:30 to 6:30 p.m...... The M-80’s (songs from the 1980s - Main Stage) 6 to 8 p.m...... Kansas City Kite Club performances 6:15 to 6:30 p.m...... Michael Glenn, inspirational speaker and pilot (Main Stage) 6:30 to 6:45 p.m...... Balloon Inflation (weather permitting) 6:30 to 7 p.m...... Chiefs Cheerleaders and KC Wolf presented by Time Warner Cable 6:30 to 8:30 p.m...... Tethered balloon rides (weather permitting) 6:45 p.m...... Balloon Mass Ascension presented by U.S. Bank (weather permitting) 7 to 9 p.m...... Lonnie McFadden and Guests (Main Stage) 9 to 10 p.m...... Balloon Glow presented by Farmers Insurance (weather permitting) 10 to 11 p.m...... The Brandon Miller Band (blues band – Main Stage) Saturday, July 9 5:30 a.m...... Gates open 6:30 a.m...... Balloons Inflate (weather permitting) 6:45 a.m...... Balloon Mass Ascension (weather permitting) 7:45 to 9:30 a.m...... Balloon Competitions (weather permitting) 10 a.m. to noon ...... Balloon Field closes Noon to 1 p.m...... Disney Performers (Radio Disney Kid’s Stage) Noon to 11 p.m...... Bands, kids entertainment and activities, military vehicles, interactives, inflatables and other attractions Noon to 11 p.m...... Games2U – Video arcade and Gyroscope Noon to 11 p.m...... Mcde’s River Gem Mining Noon ...... Balloon Field re-opens 12:15 to 1:15 p.m...... Pat Ables (acoustic guitar – Main Stage) 1 p.m...... Jay Cady from Laughing Matters (roving) 1 to 11 p.m...... Doug Zubenel, “The Telescope Guy” 1 to 1:30 p.m...... Silver Wings Skydiving Team (Balloon Field) 1:45 to 2:45 p.m...... Military Band (Patriotic Music on Main Stage) 2 to 5:30 p.m...... Kansas City Kite Club performances 2 to 3 p.m...... Rockin’ Rob – Musical entertainment on Radio Disney Kid’s Stage (ages 2 to 6) 3 to 3:30 p.m...... Remarks by Fort Riley General; introduction and honoring of wounded soldiers and families; remarks by Capt. Josh Mantz (Main Stage) 12 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST 3 to 4 p.m...... Disney Performers (Radio Disney Kid’s Stage) 3:15 to 4:15 p.m...... Flashback Band (classick rock) 4 to 5 p.m...... Fort Riley Mounted Horse Cavalry Show (grassy field) 5 to 6:15 p.m...... Travis Marvin Band (Main Stage) 5 to 6:30 p.m...... KC Wolf presented by Time Warner Cable (Radio Disney Kid’s Stage) 5 to 6 p.m...... Kids activities (Radio Disney Kid’s Stage) – TBA 5 p.m...... StoneLion Puppets 5:30 to 6:30 p.m...... Kansas City Powered Paragliders Association 6:30 to 7 p.m...... Chiefs Cheerleaders and KC Wolf presented by Time Warner Cable 6:30 to 6:45 p.m...... Balloon Inflation (weather permitting) 6:30 to 8:30 p.m...... Tethered balloon rides (weather permitting) 6:45 p.m...... Balloon Mass Ascension presented by U.S. Bank (weather permitting) 7 to 9 p.m...... Kansas City Powered Paragliders Association 7 to 9 p.m...... Platinum Express (12-piece horn band – Main Stage) 9 to 10 p.m...... Balloon Glow presented by Olathe Medical Center (weather permitting) 10 to 11 p.m...... Military Band (jazz) Sunday, July 10 5:30 a.m...... Gates open 6 to 8 a.m...... Chiefs Cheerleaders presented by Time Warner Cable (Balloon Launch area) 6:30 to 6:45 a.m...... Balloons Inflate (weather permitting) 6:45 a.m...... Balloon Mass Ascension (weather permitting) 7:45 to 9:45 a.m...... Balloon Competitions (weather permitting) 10 a.m. to noon ...... Balloon Field closes Noon ...... Balloon Field re-opens Noon to 1 p.m...... Disney Performers (Radio Disney Kid’s Stage) Noon to 3 p.m...... Kansas City Symphony Instrumental Petting Zoo Noon to 6 p.m...... Games2U – Video arcade and Gyroscope 12:45 to 1:30 p.m...... Scott Allyn Peery (acoustic guitar) 1 to 1:30 p.m...... Silver Wings Skydiving Team (Balloon Field) 1 to 7 p.m...... Doug Zubenel, “The Telescope Guy” 1:15 p.m...... Legacy School of the Arts Dance Performance (Radio Disney Kid’s Stage) 2 to 3 p.m...... Kids Activities TBA 2 to 3:45 p.m...... The Transients (Bob Marley to Dave Matthews – Main Stage) 2 p.m...... Janie Next Door (Radio Disney Kid’s Stage) 2 to 4 p.m...... Kansas City Kite Club performances 3 to 4 p.m...... Disney Performers (Radio Disney Kid’s Stage) 4 to 5 p.m...... Kids entertainment TBA 4 to 6 p.m...... Kansas City Powered Paragliders Association 4:15 to 6 p.m...... Disco Dick and the Mirror Balls (Main Stage) 5 to 6 p.m...... Rockin’ Rob – Musical entertainment on Radio Disney Kid’s Stage (ages 2 to 6) 5 to 7 p.m...... KC Wolf presented by Time Warner Cable 6 to 8 p.m...... Chiefs Cheerleaders (Balloon Field) 6:30 p.m...... Balloon Inflation (weather permitting) 6:30 to 8:30 p.m...... Tethered balloon rides (weather permitting) 6:45 p.m...... Final Mass Balloon Ascension (weather permitting)

2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 13 Kids of all ages will have plenty to do this weekend

Kansas City Symphony Instrumental Petting Zoo Although kids will love the balloons, skydivers and power gliders, the Great Midwest Balloon Fest features activities especially geared for children. The Time Warner Cable Kid’s Zone features inflatables, a games trailer, arts and crafts, face painting, hair spraying, robotics, roaming balloon artists, the Chiefs Cheerleaders presented by Time Warner Cable, and much more — all available throughout the festival. The Fort Riley Mounted Horse Cavalry show features horses to watch and to get up close and personal with along with interactive military vehicles (helicopter, tank and more). There will be tethered balloon rides for kids of all ages and launched balloon rides for older kids and adults. The Disney performers are putting on shows for the kids throughout the festival — guaranteed to get the tweens and teens up and dancing and singing! On Sunday, kids will get the opportunity to have a hands-on look at musical instruments during the Kansas City Symphony Instrumental Petting Zoo.

Mcde’s River Gem Mining

14 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST Kids of all ages will have Vendors provide food plenty to do this weekend and more at festival AmeriPure Water Company...... whole house water treatment systems Balloon Garden ...... artistic balloon creations Black Belt Bar-B-Q ...... turkey legs Bo Lings ...... Chinese restaurant featuring eggrolls, crab rangoon, vegetable fried rice, sesame chicken and more Brooks Concessions ...... cotton candy, pancakes on a stick, funnel cakes and more Buy Wise ...... fashion, jewelry, accessories and gift items Cookie Lee Jewelry ...... designer inspiration purses, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings Cornerstone Cafe and Bakery ...... assorted baked goods D&J Tasty Treats ...... ice cream cones, dishes and floats Dippin’ Dots ...... a fun way to eat ice cream; flash frozen and never messy Emergent Care Plus ...... Botox and Restylane treatments by a physician Fireside Pediatrics ...... free “physicals” for children’s dolls and stuffed animals; pediatrician who makes housecalls G&G Concessions ...... bierocks, roasted corn and more Hi-Tech Toys ...... kids toys and novelties Jerusalem Cafe ...... gyros, wraps, chicken tenders, fried cheesecake and more Just the Wax Ma’am ...... scentsy products, candles and other scented items K&C Concessions ...... Philly cheesesteak, Italian beef, walking tacos, sliders and more KBJ’s Concessions ...... hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, chicken breasts and more

KC Kona Ice ...... shaved ice, ice cream, bottled water My Big Fat Greek Restaurant ...... shish kabobs, gyro sandwiches and other Greek food Nuts 4 Us...... roasted nuts Olathe Chiropractic/Kansas City Weight Loss ...... lose weight and feel good Olathe Sunrise Kiwanis and JoCo Kiwanis Club ...... breakfast burritos and the famous Kiwanis ribeye steak sandwiches One Bite Japanese Grill ...... Japanese shaved ice, Cha-Shu Bun and more Papa John’s Pizza ...... assorted pizzas by the slice Patterson Concessions ...... gourmet hot fudge sundaes, malts and shakes Re-Bath of Kansas City ...... remodeling bathrooms affordably and quickly Shirts and Shades ...... tie-dyed shirts, clothing and sunglasses Smoothie King ...... free samples of smoothies Sugar Daddy’s Lemonade ...... Italian sausage, hot dogs, lemonade and more Swarovski’s Touchstone Crystal Jewelry ...... jewelry designs in crystal Sweet Perfection Bakery ...... corporate and special event favors, gifts, wedding favors, kid’s theme parties, cakes, specialty cakes and more Treat America Championship BBQ Team ...... slow-smoked pulled pork sandwiches, chips and beverages Tri City Concessions ...... corn dogs, funnel cakes, elephant ears, tenderloins and more Trinity Family Chiropractic ...... chiropractor 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 15 2011 Great Midwest W. Southpark Blvd

Balloon Fest Event Parking west Event Map Great Mid st (grass) Fe Event Parking Balloon (grass)

Event Mall S. Harrison Street (K-7) Parking Entrance Grassy Event Areas Event Event Parking Paved Event Area Parking Mall Event Parking Shuttle Entrance Mall Entrance Drop The Great Mall of Mall VIP & Sponsor Parking VIP & Off the Great Plains Entrance Sponsor W. Meadow Volunteer Parking Parking Mall Lane Entrance Parking Entrance Great Mall of the Mall Great Plains Entrance Event Entrance Event Festival Kids Parking Event Fencing Area Zone Mall Event Access Entrance Road Main Stage Mall

Balloon Fest Entrance Event 5 -3 Military Parking I m Row ro f Event d a Parking o R

s Balloon s e c

Field A

151st Street 151st Street 151st Street 151st Street Great Midwest

16 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST 2011 Great Midwest W. Southpark Blvd

Balloon Fest Event Parking west Event Map Great Mid st (grass) Fe Event Parking Balloon (grass)

s Balloon s e c

Field A Volunteer Parking 151st Street 151st Street 151st Street 151st Street

2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 17 Official Balloon Fest Merchandise Farmers Insurance Non-Food Entrance Multiple Claims Bus Vendors west Great Mid st Non-Food Fe Vendors Balloon Dining Food Tent Vendors

Games2U

Dining Kids Tent Activities Stage Tent Time Warner Olathe Medical Center Beer Arts & Misting Kids Zone First Aid Tent Crafts Tent Tent Tent Time-Warner Tent

VIP Inflatables Tent Mining Area

Dining Climbing Tent Tower Balloon Fest Main Stage

Port-o-potties

Balloon

Great Midwest Field

18 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST Official Balloon Fest Merchandise Farmers Insurance Non-Food Entrance Multiple Claims Bus Vendors west Great Mid st Non-Food Fe Vendors Balloon Dining Food Tent Vendors

Games2U

Dining Kids Tent Activities Stage Tent Time Warner Olathe Medical Center Beer Arts & Misting Kids Zone First Aid Tent Crafts Tent Tent Tent Time-Warner Tent

VIP Inflatables Tent Mining Area

Dining Climbing Tent Tower

Main Stage

Port-o-potties

Balloon Field

2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 19 The 2011 Great Midwest Balloon Fest thanks its sponsors

Corporate sponsors have played an intricate role in the develop- ment of Great Midwest Balloon Fest and have helped it to achieve its launch date in 2011. While supporting Great Midwest Balloon Fest, corporate sponsors strengthen their own corporate image while promoting their brand identity. Presenting Sponsors

20 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST Contributing Sponsors

33Church Olathe, KS

OFFICIAL FM RADIO SPONSOR

OFFICIAL AM RADIO SPONSOR

2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 21 2011 Great Midwest Balloon Fest to feature these hot air Tim Basey balloons and more Louisville, KY

Henry Bedford Logan Bedford Chase Donner Nick Donner Ron Frusher Franklin, TN Franklin, TN Atlanta, GA Streamwood, IL Lorena, TX

Kinnie Gibson Bill Glenn Michael Glenn Joe Heartsill Rhett Heartsill Carrollton, TX Roswell, NM Maricopa, AZ San Angelo, TX San Angelo, TX

Kellie Keller Tom Keller Ted Max eld Dan Reusch Jon Shelton Derby, KS Derby, KS Sherwood, AR Peoria, IL West Des Moines, IA

BALLOON PHOTOS NOT AVAILABLE Jim Forshee Wichita, KS Doug Grimes Albuquerque, NM Al Hansen Winnimac, IN Andrew James St. Joseph, MO William Spreadbury D.J. Stukas Joel Sturdevant Ken Walters Terry Montague Lenexa, KS Central, SC Lee’s Summit, MO Waukesha, WI Plattsburg, MO Layne Wolters 22 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST Holts Summit, MO Special Shape Balloons delight festival-goers One of the biggest draws at a balloon festival is the fun of Special Shape Balloons. No matter their shape, Special Shape Balloons are magical for kids of all ages. The following Special Shape Balloons are scheduled to be on hand at the 2011 Great Midwest Balloon Fest:

Flying Pig Doug Gantt

2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 23 The American Rocket Matthew McClinton

Pandy Ken Walters Off the Wall Jeff Haliczer

Not pictured: Planet Earth Doug Grimes

Continued on page 26

24 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST Block & Company

Ferrellgas

2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 25 Continued from page 24

Miss Daisy Dan Stukas

US Bank

26 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST MetroMedia house ad

2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 27 Festival offers non-stop entertainment for the whole family

The entertainment will include... Time Warner Cable Kid’s Zone features inflatables, a games trailer, arts and crafts, face painting, hair spraying, robotics, roaming balloon artists, and much more — all available throughout the festival. • Radio Disney Performers — Shows on Saturday and Sunday • Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders presented by Time Warner Cable; KC Wolf; and the Kansas City Chiefs Ambassadors will be available for autographs • Kansas City Association of Powered Paragliders • Live music — Check out some of the best and brightest local and regional area musical acts • Lonnie McFadden, KC Headliner — singer, dancer and musician extraordinaire • Michael Glenn, the first paraplegic hot air balloon pilot and a fantastic motivational speaker • The Cluster Balloon Man — John Ninomiya will fly high in the sky harnessed to 40 to 50 colorful helium weather balloons. Other Attractions The U.S. Army at Fort Riley, Kan., is bringing the following attractions to the 2011 Great Midwest Balloon Fest: • Leaders, soldiers and their families of the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division • Wounded warriors of the Fort Riley Transition Battalion • Static displays of real combat vehicles and aircraft. There will be soldiers to explain, educate and interact with the crowd. • Capt. Joshua Mantz — Severely injured by a sniper’s bullet while serving on active duty in Iraq, Capt. Mantz “died” for 15 minutes, but fully recovered, and his story will inspire and motivate all who hear him. • The Commanding Generals Mounted Color Guard will be performing shows of period U.S. Horse Cavalry techniques. • The U.S. Army Silver Wings Exhibition Skydiving Team (from Ft. Benning, Ga.) to perform military precision skydiving shows each day. • Information displays about the history, culture and activities of one of the nation’s most famous Army Divisions —The Big Red One.

28 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST Festival offers non-stop Besides hot air balloons, festival presents a entertainment for the whole family wide variety of musical entertainment Friday, July 8 Saturday, July 9 M-80’s Pat Ables 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. The M-80’s are Kansas City’s premier 1980s cover band Pat Ables is a busy local musi- playing all your favorite songs from that decade. Come out and cian, playing solo acoustic shows join them to be transformed back to your favorite era, the ’80s of in addition to being in several course! local bands. His array of songs to choose from will have something to please just about everyone. Flashback 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Flashback is a popular local band playing all of your favorite classic rock songs. Have a flashback...the good kind!

Lonnie McFadden and Guests 7 to 9 p.m. Lonnie McFadden has been one of the area’s premier performers from a very early age. He has performed around the world, appearing in Las Vegas and at jazz festivals across Europe and Japan. Not only is Lonnie a great vocalist, he’ll also entertain you with some exceptional tap dancing and trumpet playing. Travis Marvin Band Special guests for this performance will include Lonnie’s very talented 5 to 6:15 p.m. daughters: Gina McFadden, who Travis Marvin, affectionately known as T-Marv to thousands of appeared on American Idol, and fans throughout the Midwest, is simply the hottest country artist Chloe McFadden, one of the KC on the scene today. You can find the band headlining dozens of Superstar finalists. fairs and festivals throughout the region, and sharing the stage with many national recording artists at the larger country concerts as well. A favorite of the local radio stations, keep an eye out for The Brandon Miller Band their latest CD release coming this summer. 10 to 11 p.m. Brandon Miller is a rising young star in the blues world, and The Brandon Miller Band is an explora- tion into the blues spectrum. Since their inception in 2008, they have taken the Midwest blues scene by storm. The Brandon Miller Band invites you to experience a truly explosive celebration of music with them. Be sure to pick up a copy of the debut album at the show. 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 29 The Transients 2 to 3:45 p.m. You can see The Transients all over town; they are one of Kansas City’s hottest cover bands. Catch them Tuesday nights at Tomfooleries on the Country Club Plaza and Thursday nights at Tomfooleries in Zona Rosa. These guys play everything from 311 to Bob Marley to CCR to Dave Matthews. You’re sure to love their song list.

Platinum Express 7 to 9 p.m. Platinum Express is a unique 12-piece Las Vegas-style show band featuring dynamic vocal performances, a powerful horn section, and crowd-pleasing dance choreography. The lead singer, the legendary J.J. Johnson, is pure excitement and personifies their motto “Ain’t No Party Like A PE Party” with his exceptional ability to interact with the audience and get them involved with the show. What sets this band apart is the depth of professional musicianship, variety of musical styles, and flat- out fun, dancing and listening experience. Make sure you’re on board, ’cause this rides a blast! Sunday, July 10

Disco Dick and the Mirror Balls 4:15 to 6 p.m. Looking for a band dressed in retro bell-bottomed attire sparkling like a disco ball? Let’s add Afro wigs, sunglasses, big shoes and your favorite music…disco. Bring your dancing shoes, because you won’t be able to sit still when Disco Dick and the Mirror Balls get going. With a front man who owns the stage with every move, a killer rhythm section complete with white guys with Afros, and two female singers, this band is an inferno. Yeah, you know what kind of inferno.

Scott Allyn Peery 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. Scott Allyn Peery is one of KC’s finest upcoming country music singer/songwriters. You can catch him performing around town keeping live music...alive!

30 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST Deffenbaugh

Central States

2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST • 31 KU Athletics

32 • 2011 GREAT MIDWEST BALLOON FEST