From SARC of Harford County:
A two-day hot-air balloon festival called “Rising Above It” will be held in Bel Air over Labor Day weekend. The festival is a fundraiser for SARC, a Harford County nonprofit that provides services to more than 2,000 people a year seeking a life free from abuse and fear.
All events, rain or shine, will take place at the Harford County Equestrian Center, 608 Tollgate Road in Bel Air. Vi Ripken is the honorary chair of the festival.
The kick-off, Balloon Glow Gala, will be held Friday, September 3, from 7 to 11 p.m. The hot-air balloons will “glow” that evening, illuminating the area around the gala. The event begins with a meet-and-greet with balloon pilots, followed by a reception, live auction, music and dancing. Auction items include a one-hour balloon ride for two, one-week stay in Myrtle Beach, original watercolor from artist Lee Alban, a spa day and gift basket from Merle Norman in Bel Air and more. Tickets cost $100 per person and may be obtained by visiting www.sarc-maryland.org or sending check or credit card information to SARC at P.O. Box 1207, Bel Air, MD 21014. Only 240 tickets will be sold.
Family Fun Day, on Saturday, September 4, takes place from noon to 5:30 p.m. and features “Kidz Zone” activities (moon bounce, face painting, balloon art and more), entertainment, craft and food vendors, tethered balloon rides and more.
Additional activities include performances by Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band, tumbling shows, visits by animals from the Baltimore Zoo and Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, horse rides, demonstrations by search and rescue dogs and performances by the Urban Pirates.
The day will conclude with a balloon race.
Family Fun Day passes cost $5 per person and may be ordered in advance at www.sarc-maryland.org. Children 5 years of age and under are free of charge. For more information, call 410-836-8431.
Title sponsors of the festival include Booz Allen Hamilton, sponsor of Family Fun Day, and Harford Mutual, sponsor of the Balloon Glow Gala. Other sponsors include APGFCU, The Aegis, Gemcraft Homes, Jones Junction, Harford Community College, Harford Bank, Thomas M. Wagner & Associates, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLP, The Arena Club, Kramon & Graham, P.A., PSA Insurance and Financial Services, Safenet Inc., Chesapeake Title Company, The Kelly Group, Giovanni’s Restaurant, Free State Numismatics, Father Martin’s Ashley, Garceau Realty, Harford Bank, Mars Super Markets, Merrill Lynch, Day’s Inn – Edgewood, Super 8 – Joppa, Hess Hotels, Farmington Nursery and Bobby’s Portable Restrooms.
SARC’s mission is to end domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking, to aid its victims and to create a society free from abuse and fear. The organization was established in 1978 after a year-long grassroots effort by Harford County residents reacting to a lack of services and support for victims of sexual assault.
Today, SARC has grown to include a domestic violence program serving victims and children; a sexual assault program serving adult and child victims; a legal advocacy program serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; a 28-bed emergency shelter; community outreach and education services; a 24-hour helpline and a new Teen Corner website offering information about cyber-bulling, teen violence and healthy relationships. For more information about SARC, visit www.sarc-maryland.org.
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