Attractions
Balloon Spectacular Sets New Event Date October 30 – November 1
Balloon Spectacular Sets New Event Date October 30 – November 1
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kristi Rigsby
Event Director
940-612-8607
GAINESVILLE — The last weekend in October this year will truly be a “spectacular” one in North Texas as 25 hot air balloons take to the sky as part of North Texas Medical Center Foundation’s The Sky’s the Limit Balloon Spectacular October 30 – November 1 in Gainesville, Texas.
Now in its fourth year, the family-friendly weekend event begins Friday evening, October 30, at the Gainesville Municipal Airport with gates opening at 4 p.m. A mass ascension and competition flight are on the Friday evening schedule. At 7:30 p.m., balloons will return to the field for the traditional balloon glow. This event features the balloons tethering on the field and lighting their burners to illuminate the envelope which creates a beautiful, sparkling spectacle of color on the ground –a photographer’s dream.
If conditions are favorable and officials deem it safe, spectators will be invited to walk among the balloons and view the beautiful creations up close. Not all festivals allow such intimate interaction, so those attending this show are in for a real treat!
Prior to and during the event, hot air balloon rides hovering over the beautiful country side of Cooke County can be booked for $200 per person. Pre-book at www.theskysthelimit.org. Spots fill quickly.
Other activities include a multitude of merchandise and information booths, a carnival midway, displays and plenty of delectable festival foods. Grab some chairs and a blanket and stake your spot. Gates close at 10 p.m.
On Saturday, October 31, things begin early as the gates open at 7 a.m., with balloons flying in from outside locations to fly over targets at the airport. The fly-in will begin roughly at 7:15 a.m. and continue until 9 a.m. There is a slight break in the balloon action until the evening session, which begins at 5:30 p.m., and another mass ascension of balloons flying from the airport until 7:30 p.m. Around 7:30, the balloons will glow once more before handing over the spotlight to the evening entertainment when Pat Green takes the Sky Stage at 9 p.m. Gates close at 11:00 p.m.
There are many other activities that will fill the day on Saturday. This year, the 19th Annual Halloween Hustle will be incorporated into this event and will take place Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. at the airport. The popular Halloween Hustle will once again feature both a 5K and 10K USATF courses. To register for this event, go to www.ntmcfoundation.org .
Also on Saturday, an air show is scheduled for mid-afternoon with multiple aircraft performing tricks in the sky. There will also be a car show on Saturday from 10:00 – 3:00. A special “Champagne and Propane Ball” will honor our visiting pilots, sponsors and supporters of the North Texas Medical Center Foundation. Tickets are $65 each and include a full gourmet meal and a fantastic view of Saturday night’s balloon glow. The event will be held in the CBS Hangar at the airport. Regional chefs from Morrison’s Food Services will each host a station – appetizers, salad, entrée, dessert – as they each compete for a chance to take the top catering prize back to their hospitals. It will be a mouth-watering social event you will not want to miss. Call (940) 612-8607 for reservations. Space is limited.
Sunday morning will be the time to say goodbye and catch one more glimpse (and photo) of the gorgeous cloud skimmers as the balloons fly over targets at the airport between 7:15 and 9 a.m. Gates will remain open until the event concludes at approximately 11:00 a.m.
For fly-in events on Saturday and Sunday morning, balloons will be launched from at least two miles away and fly over the event grounds at the Gainesville Municipal Airport. Launch site and time will vary depending on weather and wind direction.
Friday admission is $5 for adults and children/students over 42 inches and over. Saturday admission is $5 for children/students over 42 inches and $10 for adults and includes the headliner Saturday night concert. Children under 42 inches are admitted free. All proceeds go the North Texas Medical Center Foundation, for the benefit of North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville. Advance tickets will be available beginning at North Texas Medical Center and all First State Bank locations.
All activities for The Sky’s The Limit are weather-permitting. All times are approximate and schedule may change without notice. Go to www.theskysthelimit.org or follow us on Facebook for the latest news as the event approaches.
Directions:
From DFW: Gainesville, Texas, is located 65 miles north of DFW on Interstate 35-N. Exit Highway 82 West-Wichita Falls, go three miles. Gainesville Municipal Airport is on the right.
From Sherman-Denison: Gainesville, Texas, is located 32 miles west of Sherman on US Highway 82 East. Gainesville Municipal Airport is on your right 3 miles past the I-35 interchange.
From Wichita Falls: Gainesville, Texas, is located 75 miles east of Wichita Falls on US Highway 82. Gainesville Municipal Airport is on your left as you enter the city limits.
From Oklahoma: Gainesville, Texas, is located 7 miles south of the Oklahoma/Texas border, on Interstate 35-S. Exit Highway 82 West – Wichita Falls, go three miles. Gainesville Municipal Airport is on the right.
For more information:
Website: www.theskysthelimit.org
Facebook: The Sky’s The Limit
Phone: 940-612-8607
Email: [email protected]
It’s already March and the smell of springtime parties and special events is in the air.
Everybody knows in order to have a great party, you’ve got to have the right music.
Well, that’s where my friend Katie Dieter comes to the rescue.
Katie, aka DJ KD “The Spinner,” has been spinning the right mix for parties and special events throughout North Texas for years now. Her passion for music helps to make your special event one your friends will never forget. Whether you’re planning a wedding, banquet, school event or just a backyard get-together with friends, DJ KD “The Spinner” is the right call for you.
To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Seems lately these days Texas is becoming the envy of musicians from around the world.
With the overwhelming response to “Yellowstone,” the television series, Texas once again finds itself under the microscope of the world, much like the late 1980’s TV series know to all around the globe as “Dallas.”
With that said, the musician population in Texas is beginning to grow as many aspiring performers turn their sights on Texas instead of Nashville. Meet my newly-found friend and fellow musician Grace Partridge. This youthful 19 year old has recently made Texas her new home. She began fiddling at age four in Rigby, Idaho. Grace worked her way through the National Fiddle championships in Weiser, Idaho, becoming a five-time national champion. She’s even played on the Grand Ole Opry. Still yet, her desire to become a true Texas Fiddler has brought her to the Lone Star State. I’m pretty sure we can thank Bob Wills for that.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January 2024 issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
On Nov. 4, 2023, the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra will present an evening of Texas Cowboy, Country and Western Swing with yours truly, Dave Alexander and the fabulous Quebe Sisters.
Enjoy the music of Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, Gene Autry and many more of your Texas Music favorites performed with a full symphony orchestra. We also will feature music from my latest CD, “From The Saddle To Symphony Hall,” along with some of my own compositions. It is guaranteed to be a night to remember.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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