Up in the air about Labor Day? Think Callaway Gardens: Hot air balloon festival needs volunteers for

PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga., (Aug. 20, 2014) -- Volunteer to become a part of Callaway Gardens' 16th annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival Aug. 29-31 by joining a chase crew.

Chase crews follow balloons in flight and recover them once they've landed. It's a terrific way to get involved with your community and experience ballooning firsthand.

Crews assist pilots with inflating, launching, "chasing" and packing the balloons.

A good pair of gloves and a little time are all that are needed. In return, crew members learn about ballooning and have access to the balloon festival and all the great activities and attractions at Callaway Gardens.

There is a Balloon Glow on Friday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 31, with set-up beginning around 7 p.m. The launches are Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31, between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. and again between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Some pilots will offer tethered rides and need assistance more during the day. Crew volunteers should be available at these times.

Balloons fly wherever the wind blows and usually travel five to seven miles before landing. Chase crews maintain radio contact with a balloon pilot. Once the balloon has landed, the crew assists with retrieving a balloon and its passengers and escorting them back to Callaway Gardens.

Approximately 150 volunteer chase crew members are needed. Crew members must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license and be able to volunteer at the Balloon Glow on Friday night and for both flights on Saturday and Sunday. Each balloon needs a four- or five-member crew.

If you are interested in becoming a chase crew member or if you have questions about the event, contact Andy Brown, Callaway Gardens' recreation director, at 706-663-5043 or at abrown@callawaygardens.com.

The Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival will be an exciting time and becoming a chase crew member is a great way help make this event safe for members of our community and successful for the thousands of visitors who will be in town to enjoy Labor Day weekend.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Note: Wind turbulence, direction and conditions for balloons are based on weather in the sky, not on the ground.

Friday, Aug. 29

3 to 7 p.m. -- Balloon artist in the Beach Pavilion area

7 p.m. -- Live Music: The Regulars

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

Saturday, Aug. 30

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

3 to 7 p.m. -- Balloon artist in the Beach Pavilion area

3:30 p.m. -- Disc Dog Demonstrations

6 p.m. -- Balloon launch (wind and weather conditions permitting)

7 p.m. -- Live music: Final Answer

Dusk -- Pyrotechnic skydiving demo by Aero eXtreme Parachute Demo Team (wind and weather conditions permitting)

Tethered balloon rides available, wind turbulence and weather conditions permitting.

Sunday, Aug. 31

6 a.m. to 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. -- Callaway Gardens Fitness Series 5K Run*

8 a.m. -- Callaway Gardens Fitness Series Triathlon*

11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. -- Disc Dog Demonstration

6 p.m. -- Balloon launch (wind and weather conditions permitting)

7 p.m. -- Live music: Sons-N-Britches

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