The Resort ~

Turf Valley rises to the occasion with annual three-day Preakness® Celebration Hot Air Balloon Festival

presented by The Bob Lucido Team RE/MAX Advantage, May 19th - 21st, 2011

Ellicott City, Maryland - April 25, 2011 - Turf Valley is excited to once again host the annual hot air balloon portion of the Preakness® Celebration festivities on May 19th -21st. As Maryland residents gear up for the week long festivities leading up to the 136th running of the Preakness® Stakes, Turf Valley is preparing for two VIP Balloons at this year’s Preakness® Celebration Hot Air Balloon Festival, presented by The Bob Lucido Team Re/Max Advantage. With the acceptance of two specialty shape hot air balloons to participate in this year’s festival – Energizer’s Hot Hare balloon and the Purple People Eater balloon – Turf Valley is promising festival-goers a truly memorable experience.

Over twenty hot air balloons, in a unique variety of shapes and colors, will participate in Turf Valley’s nightly Balloon Glow, including the Hot Hare Balloon and Purple People Eater balloon. The Energizer Bunny® Hot “Hare” Balloon is the tallest hot air balloon in the world, towering 15 feet over the Statue of Liberty. Flying for the past 17 years, it did appear at Turf Valley in 2008, and is being welcomed back for the 2011 Preakness® Celebration Hot Air Balloon Festival. Festival goers should keep an eye to the sky as the Purple People Eater will fly by with bulging eyes, spider-like limbs, large, pointed ears and a mischievous grin. Rest assured, he is a gentle giant with his only goal to bring smiles to all who see him. This magical combination of characters and balloons will be sure to delight all those in attendance.

The two-day vendor event will include fun activities for people of all ages, from young children to those young at heart. Shop local crafters and participate in various children’s activities and entertainment throughout the event. Weather permitting, patrons will have the option to join the pilots in their balloons and take full flight or try out a tethered balloon ride. At dusk, when all the balloons have returned back to Turf Valley, the balloons will stand and illuminate the night with a “Balloon Glow”. On Saturday, May 21st, the Balloon Festival will culminate in the launching of the balloons at 6:30 A.M.

Important Information:

The Preakness® Celebration Hot Air Balloon Festival presented by The Bob Lucido Team RE/MAX Advantage.

Admission to the event is free.

Tethered Balloon Rides will be available for $15/adult, $8/child.

Walk Thru Balloon is available for $2/person.

All parking for events 3pm - 9pm will be off-site at the Howard County Fairgrounds, with handicap accessible shuttle service. There will be a $5 donation to the Elkridge Adult Athletic Association for parking.

Children’s Activities, Entertainment & Balloon Glow on Thursday & Friday, May 19th - 20th, 2011

Morning Hot Air Balloon Launches* on Friday & Saturday, May 20-21, at 6:30 a.m.
*Parking for these activities will be onsite, at Turf Valley.

All event information, including schedule of events can be found at www.turfvalley.com.

Balloon Pilot Story Ideas:

John Calvin - Pilot for the Purple People Eater Balloon John - 321-431-5542

The Energizer Bunny® Hot "Hare" Balloon Headquarters - 800-383-7323

Neil Blackwell flew over the Alps. Neil - 609-381-5766

Kevin Poeppleman won awards for significant accomplishments in Ballooning for over 30 years Kevin - 301-529-8663

Kathy Remley is a female pilot, with her husband who is also her crew chief. Kathy is an excellent source of information and human interest stories. Kathy - 215-820-1122

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