HOT AIR BALLOON LAUNCHES

                  

Aerobatic Racing – ARC Series™ - www.acroracing.org

Military appreciation day: current service members free w/ id

Mitchell B-25 Bomber is coming back!

(RIDES TO THE PUBLIC WILL BE AVAILABLE)      

Helicopter Rides for the Public

 

Fly-In Breakfast hosted by FAPA - Everyone's Welcome!

 

IN THE  BEGINNING

This year were proud to highlight our Military Service Members by allowing them Free Admission with a current military ID.  This festival has been a proud tradition in Minnesota for 25 years!

Held Friday and Saturday, September 18th & 19th, 2009 at the Faribault Municipal Airport, Airfest attracts aviation enthusiasts and spectators from across the entire Midwest.

This family-oriented festival is an affordable, educational, and highly entertaining event highlighting the color and beauty of Hot Air Balloons plus the vibrancy and excitement of an Air Show that will now feature an Aerobatic Air Race.  On Friday, Airfest will host various “Student Day” learning opportunities for local area school kids as well as a Balloon Launch and live musical entertainment in the evening.   Saturday will showcase Dawn & Dusk Balloon Launches plus Noon & Afternoon Air Show Demonstrations and Air Race.  Military Equipment, Tanks, Warbirds, Ultra-Lights, and Vintage Aircraft will also be displayed along with a wide range of Ground Activities for the whole family.  Event activities will be presented on the airport ramp, in the hangar, and within the Kid’s Corner Area.

More activities include glider, aircraft, and helicopter rides that will be available for purchase.  Plenty of food concessions will be offered plus ample Free Parking and handicapped accessible parking and restrooms.  A Speakers Forum Stage will furnish the public with interesting subjects like Flying RC Aircraft, Glider Operations, Warbirds, and Ultra-Light Aircraft.

If you would be interested in assisting as a ground handling crew member for the balloonists, contact Todd Ginter at the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce 507-334-4381 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Featured Aircraft & Events include the following:

• Minnesota's First Aerobatic Air Race !
• Hot Air Balloon Launches
  
• Aerobatic Air Show Performances
• Military Appreciation Day - Current Military Service Members get in Free with valid ID
• Fly-In Breakfast - Presented by FAPA
  
• Live Music & Entertainment
  
• Warbird & Helicopter Displays with Fighter and Aircraft Cockpits to sit in - Good Photo Ops
  
• Operating British Armor TANK on Display !
  
• RC Aircraft Performances by Industry Professionals
  
• Airplane, Helicopter, and Glider Rides - PLUS the M4 Flight Simulator
  
• Pilot & Aviation Speaker Forums
  
• Kid’s Corner Children’s Activities

Many of the above scheduled activities are weather-dependant.

Minnesota's 1st Aerobatic Race, The Blue Sky Challenge Cup© presented by Scheyden Eyewear, is a progressive new aerobatic air race showcased at the Faribault Airfest & Balloon Rally 2009.  For detailed information on Aerobatic Racing and the ARC Series Race events, go to WWW.ACRORACING.ORG.

Invited participants include world class aerobatic pilots and their aircraft from the exciting theater of Air Shows and Competition.  Featured pilots compete in front of event spectators by performing a sequence of precision aerobatic maneuvers side-by-side while timed under the meticulous eye of a U. S. National Aerobatic Judge.  The first pilot to successfully complete these dynamic set of maneuvers wins the race.