Up, up and away at Callaway Gardens

FORT BENNING, GA - When the sun sets Friday, more than the moon will light up the night. The 11th annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival, presented by Callaway Gardens, will kick off Labor Day weekend with a "balloon glow" along Robin Lake Beach.

"It will be an 'ooh' and 'ahh' fun kind of evening," said Rachel Crumbley, public relations manager for the gardens.

Callaway Gardens, located 30 minutes north of Columbus, houses 13,000 acres including a 4,000-acre preserve, butterfly conservatory, horticultural center, inland beach, nature trails and gardens.

"I just love it," said Kaye Minchew, a repeat visitor to the annual festival. "I think it's a fun atmosphere. We've been there when the balloons take off and it's just so pretty."

The annual balloon festival is expected to draw hundreds and will have something for everyone Sept. 4-6 as guests look for a great way to end the summer.

The gates open at 5 p.m. Friday with live music from Leon Jacobs and a brass quartet to set the mood from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

The hot air balloons will be inflated at sunset, creating the glow effect spectators can expect to enjoy against the backdrop of the night sky, Crumbley said.

On Saturday and Sunday, the balloons will head for the skies at sunrise and sunset for hot air balloon rides, weather permitting. Guests can purchase tickets for a balloon ride. Tethered balloon rides of 40-50 feet into the air will also be available.

Following the morning balloon launches, breakfast will be available at the Columbus Exchange Club Pancake Breakfast for $5.

For those who like to keep their feet on the ground, plenty of family-friendly activities will be available at Robin Lake Beach from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days. Guests can choose from rock-wall climbing, bungee jumping, sandcastle building, swimming, paddle boating, table tennis, shuffleboard, the Xcelerator water slide, miniature golf, kite building, face-painting, T-shirt tie-dyeing, disc dog demonstrations and more.

The Radio Control Model Boat and Seaplane Regatta will take to both Robin and Martin lakes for the second year in a row. The daylong event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. There will be demonstrations and competitions among the more than 150 fast-electric boats, sailboats and utility boats expected to participate. A classic car show featuring more than 100 cars will also begin at 9 a.m.

On Sunday, Callaway Gardens will host its Fitness Series Triathlon at 8 a.m. the triathlon includes a 1-km swim, 8-km run and 30-km bike ride.

"This triathlon is considered one of the top ten in the nation," Crumbley said.

So far, 800 have signed up to compete, she said.

For non-triathletes, a 5-km run begins at 7:50 a.m. To register for the events, visit www.active.com.

After the sunset balloon launch, a movie on the beach will wrap up the night at 9 p.m.

"The great thing about the festival is it doesn't have to take up the whole weekend," Minchew said. "You can spend a whole day there or just go for a few hours on Saturday."

Festival admission is $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12, children 5 and younger are free. Military and up to five guests in the same vehicle will be admitted for free, Crumbley said. Admission includes entry to Callaway Gardens and its attractions. Some festival activities and balloon rides are not included in the admission price. Food, drinks, coolers and chairs are permitted.

For those interested in seeing the morning balloon launches, the U.S. Highway 27 gate will open at 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and half-price admission will be available before 9 a.m.

For more information on pricing and tickets, visit www.callawaygardens.com.