15th Annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival at Callaway Gardens this Labor Day Weekend!

Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival at Callaway Gardens

End Summer on a High Note with a BONUS Sunday Balloon Glow

Are you lamenting the end of another Summer?  Worry not…at Callaway Gardens®, things are looking up – way up – with the return of the Callaway Gardens® Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival for its 15th year.

Set for Labor Day Weekend, this annual Balloon Festival has something for everyone, from the soaring, majestic, colorful balloons to Callaway Gardens’ unique mix of natural beauty, to its endless helpings of multi-generational activities and events.  When it comes to family fun at Callaway Gardens, the sky is the limit!

Festivities kick off Friday night when guests flock to Robin Lake Beach for the Balloon Glow.  Upbeat live music by Jessta James sets the mood as balloons inflate. While the sun sets, the balloons’ individual colors glow against the gorgeous evening sky.  Guests shout “ready, set…glow.”

On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, it is up, up and away as the balloons head for the open skies (weather permitting*) at sunrise and sunset.  On the ground, the action continues as Robin Lake Beach plays host to a family festival featuring activities and events for all ages.  Choose from tethered balloon rides** (weather permitting*), swimming, miniature golf, disc dog demonstrations and more.

Don’t miss the popular Classic Car Show on Saturday.  In 2013, nearly 250 cars are expected to roll through the gates and add even more color to the already spectacular event.  Additional activities include at Robin Lake Beach including Aqua Island** and Light Striker Laser Tag**.

Come prepared to have a great weekend and eat.  The Beach Pavilion’s concessions will offer a variety of yummy menu items.  In addition, a food truck court will feature Champion Cheesesteak Food TruckThe Atlanta Burger Truck“On Tapa The World” Food TruckHobie Pop Kettle Corn and Venice Gelato & Lemonade, just to name a few.

Sports fans have no fear.  The games will be on the big screens at Robin Lake’s Beach Bar.  Saturday night will include live music by The Hue Party Band followed by a Pyrotechnic Skydiving Demonstration by Aero eXtreme at dusk (weather permitting).

On Sunday morning, the athletically inclined can enjoy their own adventures thanks to the Callaway Gardens Fitness Series, including a 5K run and the Triathlon.  This year represents the 33rd anniversary of the Triathlon at CallawayGardens.  It is the oldest triathlon in the South and one of the longest continuous running triathlons in the continental United States. To register, visit www.active.com.  Sunday night will be extra special with live music by The Regulars followed by a bonus Sunday night Balloon Glow.

Inside the Gardens, be sure to witness the flight of hundreds of blue butterflies as part of September’s special Blue Morpho Month. If the trend continues, for the month of September there will be more Blue Morphos on display in one place at Callaway Gardens’ Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center than any other place on the planet. Of course, there are also bicycle trails, Birds of Prey shows, floral displays, walking trails and more.

And, if you really want to fly, try out the new TreeTop Adventure**, a year-round attraction at Callaway Gardens featuring more than 30 obstacles and zip lines in the tree canopy.  Be sure to make your reservation before your visit.

Want to be a part of the high-flying balloon action?  Sign up to be on aBalloon Chase Crew for the weekend.  Crew members are assigned to assist pilots throughout the weekend with setting up balloons, chasing them when they are in the air and then bringing them back to Callaway after landing. For more information, contact Andy Brown at 706-663-5043 or abrown@callawaygardens.com.

Festival admission is $25 per adult (ages 13-64); $20 per senior (65+); $12.50 per child (ages 6-12); and free for children 5 and younger (admission prices include tax).  With proper identification, annual passholders can enter the Gardens with up to five guests in the same vehicle for free on Friday and before 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and half-price after 9 a.m.  This price includes access to Callaway Gardens and its many attractions and activities.

As an incentive to witness the morning launches, admission at the U.S. Hwy. 27 Beach gate will be half-price from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  To make the early arrival deal a little sweeter, the Exchange Club of Columbus will be serving an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast for $5 per person (while supplies last) under the Beach Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Stay around and enjoy the entire weekend with friends and family on the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Weekend Package.  A limited number of remaining rooms on Friday andSunday nights start at $167***, this offer includes accommodations in the Mountain Creek Inn; admission to the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival; breakfast in the Plant Room or Country Kitchen; admission to Callaway Gardens and its many attractions; and use of the Mountain Creek Inn Fitness Center.  This package is also available in the Southern Pine Cottages as well as Mountain Creek Villas and Vacation Homes.

Don’t delay.  Call now for reservations at 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) or make reservations online at www.callawaygardens.com.

Callaway Gardens®, is in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus.


 

*Ballooning is dependent on safe weather conditions including wind velocity and direction.

**Fee

***Rate is per night, based on double occupancy and availability in the Mountain Creek Inn.  Some restrictions apply.  Rates also are available for the Southern Pine Cottages and Mountain Creek Villas.

Details are subject to change 

Callaway Gardens 15th Annual Sky High Balloon Festival Schedule of Events

Friday, August 30

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Swimming, Miniature Golf, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Giant Chess and Checkers, Aqua Island*, Light Striker Laser Tag*, Paddle Boats*

3 p.m.-7 p.m. Balloon Artist at Beach Pavilion

3 p.m.-10 p.m. Sports on Big-Screen TVs at the Beach Bar

4 p.m.  Half-price Special Event Admission Begins ($12.50/adult; $6.25/child ages 6 to 12)

7 p.m.-9 p.m. Live Music:  Jessta James

Dusk Balloon Glow on Robin Lake Beach (Wind and weather conditions permitting)

After Glow Live Music:  Jessta James (half-hour set)

 

Saturday, August 31

6 a.m. Beach Gate Open (Half-Price Special Event Admission until 9 a.m.)

6 a.m.-9 a.m. Columbus Exchange Club Pancake Breakfast ($5 per person)

7:15 a.m. Balloon Launch (Wind and weather conditions permitting)

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Classic Car Show at the Beach Dome

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Swimming, Miniature Golf, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Giant Chess and Checkers, Aqua Island*, Light Striker Laser Tag*, Paddle Boats*

11 a.m. Disc Dog Demonstrations

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Face Painting*; Trampoline Extreme* and more

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Beach Pavilion Food Concessions and Food Trucks

Noon-10 p.m.  Sports on Big-Screen TVs at the Beach Bar

1 p.m.-5 p.m.  DJ: Fade to Black

3 p.m.-7 p.m. Balloon Artist at Beach Pavilion

3:30 p.m. Disc Dog Demonstrations

6 p.m. Balloon Launch (Wind and weather conditions permitting)

7 p.m. Live Music: The Hue Party Band

Dusk Pyrotechnic Skydiving Demo by Aero eXtreme Parachute Team (Wind and weather conditions permitting)

Tethered balloon rides* will be available throughout the day, wind and weather conditions permitting.

 

Sunday, September 1

6 a.m. Beach Gate Open (Half-Price Special Event Admission until 9 a.m.)

6 a.m.-9 a.m. Columbus Exchange Club Pancake Breakfast ($5 per person)

7:15 a.m. Balloon Launch (Wind and weather conditions permitting)

7:50 a.m./8 a.m. Callaway Gardens Fitness Series 5K Run*/Triathlon*

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Swimming, Miniature Golf, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Giant Chess and Checkers, Aqua Island*, Light Striker Laser Tag*, Paddle Boats*

11 a.m. Disc Dog Demonstrations

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Face Painting*; Trampoline Extreme* and more

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Beach Pavilion Food Concessions and Food Trucks

1 p.m.-5 p.m.  DJ: Fade to Black

3 p.m.-7 p.m. Balloon Artist at Beach Pavilion

3:30 p.m. Disc Dog Demonstrations

6 p.m. Balloon Launch (Wind and weather conditions permitting)

7 p.m. Live Music:  The Regulars

Dusk Balloon Glow on Robin Lake Beach (Wind and weather conditions permitting)

Tethered balloon rides* will be available throughout the day, wind and weather conditions permitting.

 

Monday, September 2

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Swimming, Miniature Golf, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Giant Chess and Checkers, Aqua Island*, Light Striker Laser Tag*, Paddle Boats*

Noon – 6 p.m.  Sports on TV at the Beach Pavilion

www.callawaygardens.com

 

Click Here or call 1.800.CALLAWAY (225.5292) for information.

Callaway Gardens
17800 US Hwy 27
Pine Mountain, GA
31822-2000

www.callawaygardens.com

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