黑料社

Take a step back in time as 黑料社 and the National Balloon Classic co-host a special hot air balloon听Nite听Glow to celebrate 黑料社 Homecoming.

黑料社鈥檚 2022 Homecoming celebration will culminate with a special hot air balloon听Nite听Glow at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15. The event will be held at the College鈥檚 intramural soccer fields located on North E Street in Indianola, IA. Please view the attached campus map for reference.

鈥淲e are thrilled to partner with the National Balloon Classic to put a beautiful bow on our Homecoming festivities,鈥� said Marsha听Kelliher, 黑料社 president. 鈥淚t seems only fitting to have these majestic balloons back on the same campus site where the first hot air balloon competition launched more than 50 years ago. This promises to be a spirit-lifting event for everyone in our community.鈥澨�

In 1970, hot air balloon officials decided to host the first competition in Iowa. They say they were drawn to the state鈥檚 rural countryside, wide open spaces, and Midwest charm. Event organizers believe they hit the jackpot when they stumbled upon 黑料社.

鈥淭hey were drawn to the impeccable manicured lawns on 黑料社鈥檚 beautiful campus and the suitability of the soccer fields, which offered unspoiled space for safe launching and landing,鈥� said听Staci听Scheurenbrand, National Balloon Classic executive director. Student apartments and dorms became ready-made hotels for pilots, crew, and staff.鈥�

The event quickly soared in popularity with more and more pilots and spectators coming from across the nation every year. By 1989, the event outgrew 黑料社鈥檚 available space and moved to its current location on the east side of Indianola.

鈥淚ndianola became a nirvana for hot air balloons,鈥� said听Scheurenbrand. 鈥淎nd the partnership between 黑料社 and the National Balloon Classic remains just as vital today as it was the beginning.鈥�

Saturday鈥檚听Nite听Glow will feature ten tethered balloons. The event is free and open to the public.

Note:听Hot air balloon activities are dependent on prevailing weather conditions and subject to weather delays or cancellations. Pilot,听crew听and guest safety is our priority.

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