Hot air balloon crew training scheduled

Hot Air Affair news

Hot air balloon crew training is scheduled for July 12-13 at the Van Wert County Regional Airport.

The trainers are Balloonmeister Wes Dickerson and his associate and balloon pilot, Lee Edwards.  Both of them were at last year’s Hot Air Festival and are anxious to get this year’s festival off to a good start.

The first session will start at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12, while the second session will be held around 7:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13.

The Friday session will be followed by a promotional demonstration flight in the Pick ‘N’ Save parking lot, when Dickerson and Edwards will be inflating and flying a miniature hot air balloon. The balloon stands about 17 feet tall and the basket, heating system and remote control device were hand crafted by Dickerson, a retired engineer.

All are welcome to attend either training session to see what is going on and maybe get the urge to volunteer as a crewmember.

Contact Jerry Mazur, Hot Air Festival organizer, at 419.203.4100 for additional details and other festival volunteer opportunities.

The July meeting of the full festival committee will take place Thursday, June 27, at 7 p.m., at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds Administration Building. Those who want to volunteer for this year’s Hot Air Festival are encouraged and welcome to join in the fun.