Hot Air Balloon Championships | Business

From Ascension Parish

GONZALES – The Louisiana Ballooning Foundation is pleased to announce that plans
have been finalized for the 10th Annual 2012 Hot Air Balloon Championships to be held
August 3 through Aug. 5.

Competition flights will be held in the Baton Rouge area each morning, with the festival
portion of the event taking place at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales on Friday,
August 3 and Saturday, August 4.

The Ascension Parish portion of the event is hosted by
the Ascension Festivals and Cultural Council. The Lamar-Dixon Expo Center is located at
9039 St. Landry Road.

“Now that plans have been finalized, we are very excited that this prestigious event is
coming to Ascension Parish,” said Parish President Tommy Martinez. “Lamar-Dixon is
the perfect location for families to enjoy the sights and sounds of the festival.”

Ascension Festivals and Cultural Council Coordinator Brad Walker said that President
Martinez was instrumental in reaching an agreement with the Louisiana Ballooning
Foundation.

“All of us wish to thank the Foundation, particularly Executive Director George Richard,
for choosing the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center for this family friendly event,” he said.

Walker said ample parking at Lamar-Dixon will allow spectators to travel into the area
both safely and comfortably. The site, he announced, also provides RV owners 200
hookups for those wishing to attend the entire weekend’s festivities.

The Ascension Parish festival portion will feature free parking, free admission, and a
large children’s area. Bands will perform, and there will be parachute jumps, balloon
liftoffs, balloon glows, fireworks, arts and crafts, food and drink vendors and more.
Schedules will be announced soon.
The Ascension Festivals and Cultural Council will offer VIP areas for sponsorship and a
VIP Balloon Club. The Balloon Club is a fundraiser and will feature food and drinks in an
air conditioned area. The sponsor of this area is to be confirmed at a later date.
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or vendor for the festival, is invited to email
org@ascensionballooning.com.