An appearance by a professional air show and air race team and a flying aerobatic show featuring “paramotors,” are among the new things that will highlight the 13th annual “Balloonfest, Air Show & So Much More” this Saturday, September 14th at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in Hughesville, PA. The event is presented each year by the Rotary Clubs of Lycoming County, (Hughesville, Montoursville, Muncy, & Williamsport), although the committee includes several non-Rotarians who are an integral part of the team. Organizers start meeting within a month after an event to plan how they can improve and grow the event each year.

“Our goal is to offer a unique, first-class, family-friendly, affordable event with something for everyone while increasing Rotary awareness and exemplifying the Rotary motto: ‘Service Above Self,’” Sandy Spencer, event chair, told Webb Weekly. “Entertainment includes several favorites from previous years including Dialed Action BMX Team, Central PA Sleds & Treads with ATV drag races, Team Fastrax skydiving, puppet and magician shows, Huey helicopter display, laser light show choreographed to music, and, of course, the hot air balloons organized by Rebecca Elkins, Balloonmeister.”

New to the event this year is Michael Goulian sponsored by Lycoming Engines. Goulian Aerosports is a professional air show and air race team that performs at air shows in the USA and competes in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship worldwide. Spencer said they were blessed to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Lycoming Engines with Mike as a performer.

Also new to the event and the area is Paradigm Aerobatic, flying “paramotors,” which means a person basically has a fan on their back, pushing them into the sky, supported by a fully aerobatic paraglider. Each member of the team will literally run into the sky in front of the crowd at the event, then break into formations before accomplishing death-defying feats like barrel rolls, synchronized spirals, radical spins, and even what they call the “Infinite Tumble”, where David, the Spanish pilot flips backward over his glider over and over again. David, as mentioned, is from Spain, two team members hail from Wisconsin, and the hometown boy, Tucker Gott is coming from just over the border in New Jersey. Eric Farewell, team leader, is based in Florida. The Balloonfest, Air Show committee has recognized the challenges of having an event at least 20 minutes driving time from the local airport so organizers are happy that Paradigm Aerobatic will be taking off and landing at this event which will allow more interaction between performers and attendees.

Spencer stated without the support of sponsors at many levels, volunteers, vendors, performers, and of course, dedicated committee members, the event would not be possible. “For those who support the event in any way, we appreciate you!”

For additional information, please visit their website, which is http://www.LCRotary.com. Tentative schedule, photo gallery, advance tickets and ticket outlets, balloon ride information, “dos and don’ts,” vendor information, and more is all available there. Please remember balloon launches are, (weather permitting), only early mornings and late afternoons although the tether balloon, (again, weather permitting), will be onsite throughout the day. They also invite you to “like” them on Facebook for event updates and news.