Celebrating its Silver Anniversary, this hometown show started life in the mid 80’s in the farm fields surrounding Faribault, MN as a gathering of Hot Air Balloon pilots who decided to add some color to their town’s community events schedule.  As more of the public decided to help the balloon pilots “crew” these floating beauties, attention from local businesses created an ongoing relationship that transformed the annual get-together into a full blown Hot Air Balloon Rally, complete with sponsorship and headline status for the Faribault Airport.            

Over the past few years, Airfest has gained so much momentum in Southern Minnesota that the town of Faribault decided to add vintage aircraft, warbirds, aerobatic aircraft performances, and this year side-by-side Aerobatic Racing.  See WWW.ACRORACING.ORG  for more info on the race format.  The Faribault Airport Pilot Association (FAPA) will also host a Fly-In Pancake Breakfast on Saturday morning to anyone attending this year’s event, PIC’s eat free.    

Airfest will host three feature events for 2009 to celebrate its 25 years. 

·         Multiple Hot Air Balloon Launches - Friday night, plus Saturday morning & evening

·         Military Appreciation Day – Current Military Service Members admission is free (Bring valid ID)

·         Minnesota’s 1^st Aerobatic Air Races – Aerobatic Racing Challenge Series™            

To recognize the community school children, Airfest will provide local area kids with a free opportunity to attend “Aviation Education Day” at the airport, complete with a variety of learning stations that feature aircraft of all kinds and the pilots who fly them.  After the kids interact with the airmen and their machines on Friday morning and afternoon, the gates will open for the public at 5:00 pm for the opening balloon launch set into motion by the Mayor of Faribault.  A live band will then usher in the evening by performing on stage in the Main Hangar.  All are welcome as Grampa Al’s provides the musical entertainment along with adult beverages.            

As dawn rises on Saturday morning (approximately 7:00 am) the Hot Air Balloons will launch again followed by  the arrival of aircraft and pilots for the Fly-In Breakfast and good “hangar tales” over a cup of coffee.  Airfest has traditionally been a very family-oriented event complete with a Kid’s Corner play area, plenty of children’s activities from Kid’s Avenue daycare, and small flight toys on sale for the little ones.            

There will be plenty of static airplane and helicopter displays, plus mock-up cockpits and museum articles for adults and kids to investigate and explore.  An operating WWII Tank from Drive-A-Tank will also be on hand.  Military fly-bys have been requested and some warbirds will be inbound.  Don’t forget the surprise hit of the show in recent years has been Professional RC Performer David Scott flying a variety of Giant Scale Remote Control Aircraft.  Dave creates impossible aerobatic sequences, and actually hovers his airplanes, torque rolling them just a few feet in front of the crowd.              As spectators walk the grounds after the Hot Air Balloon Launch and before the Air Show performances at Noon and 3:00 pm, they can eat a variety of food from vendors and participate in public aircraft rides from Antique Biplanes, Gliders, and Helicopters, and even Warbirds.            

Finally, the Air Show will present breathtaking aerobatic performances flown by world class pilots.  The pilots are especially looking forward to pairing off in multiple racing heats as they fly a timed aerobatic sequence in all out effort to win the Blue Sky Challenge Cup© trophy.            

Attendees will have plenty of opportunities to meet the pilots, get autographs, ask questions, and take in a little bit of everything that flies in General Aviation.  Kids love the color and spectacle of Airfest while adults enjoy the variety of displays and activities offered.  Absolutely everyone loves the Hot Air Balloon Launches and the Aerobatic Entertainment.