From SARC:
SARC’s Third Annual Rising Above It Hot-Air Balloon Festival featuring a Family Fun Day and Balloon Glow Gala takes place rain or shine the weekend of September 21-22.
The festival is a fundraiser for SARC, a Harford County nonprofit that provides hope and resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and stalking.
Family Fun Day takes place Saturday, September 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Harford County Equestrian Center, 608 North Tollgate Road in Bel Air. The Balloon Glow Gala takes place Friday, September 21, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Maryland Golf & Country Clubs, 1335 East MacPhail Road in Bel Air.
Family Fun Day, sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton, features a mix of activities for kids and adults alike including three stages with entertainment, horse rides for kids on Clydesdales (additional fee), a scavenger hunt, interactive art activities, moon bounces, face painting, fainting goats, games, Hero Dogs, Mr.Twister Balloon Man, The Bubble Lady, Hoppin Hawks, hula hoop entertainment, Skullduggery Crew pirate encampment and more.
Ahot-air balloon “hare and hound race,” coordinated by Light Flight, is scheduled to lift off at 5:30 p.m. (weather permitting). Two balloon pilots and their balloon baskets will be on site from noon to 4 p.m. for guests to learn more about ballooning. In addition, the RE/MAX hot-air balloon will be available from 3 to 5 p.m. for guests to learn more about how a hot-air balloon works, inflates and stays in the air.
The musical stages will feature Patrick “Red Dog” Redmond, Julie Houtz, Planet Uptune and the D.J. Sage Band, among others. Other performers include Move It Move It Move It with Uncle Pete, Kinetic Youth Academy and a Zumba demonstration.
Mascots from area businesses—including “Squiggles” from Celebree, “Tales” from the Harford County Public Library, “The Penguin” from Kona Ice, “Joe the Monkey”from Point Breeze Credit Union and “Moola” from APG Federal Credit Union—willbe on hand. The Ravens’ Super Fans will also be in attendance.
A variety of vendors will be on site for shopping, dining and information gathering, such as Upper Chesapeake Health, Harford County Public Library’sRolling Reader and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Community Policing Unit.Food concessions include salads, sandwiches, wraps, pit beef, funnel cakes, cupcakes,snowballs, smoothies, Hawaiian coffees and more.
Tickets for Family Fun Day cost $5 per person (kids 5 and under are free) and may be purchased in advance online at www.sarc-maryland.org.Tickets may also be purchased at the gate.
The Balloon Glow Gala, sponsored by Harford Mutual, will kick off the festival the evening before (September 21)with a theme of “Over the Rainbow.” Eight hot-air balloons will be inflated and lighted and will “glow” (weather permitting) during the evening, illuminating the area around the gala.
Saxon’s Diamond Centers is donating a specially designed ruby ring (1.00 ct. pear-shaped ruby with 0.51tw diamonds set into 14kt white gold, valued at $4,295) that will be given to the person who “purchases” the key that opens the vault in which it will be displayed that evening.
The gala features music, dancing, dinner and an open bar. Entertainment includes the band, “Bottle of Blues,” popular magician Dick Steiner and caricature artistry by Jerry Breen. A live auction features a sports package (four tickets each to a Ravens game and an Eagles game; Eagles tickets are in a hospitality suite); weeklong stays in condominiums in Florida and Myrtle Beach; a meal prepared by a local chef in the winner’s home (foodand wine included); hot-air balloon ride for two; and a his-and-hers package featuring golf and spa activities.
Tickets cost $125 per person and must be reserved in advance by visiting www.sarc-maryland.org.
Sponsors of the festival are Harford Mutual, Booz Allen Hamilton, Aaron’s Furniture, APG Federal Credit Union,Events By I Did It Myself, Gemcraft Homes, Harford’s Heart Magazine, Jones Junction, Mason-Dixon ARRIVE, MediaWise, Inc., Richardson’s Florist, SRC,Wegman’s, Women in Defense, www.DowntownDiane.net, 970 WAMD Radio, Bobby’s Portable Restrooms, Celebree Learning Center, County Movers, CPWN, Harford Community College, Hart to Heart Ambulance, HC Style Magazine, Laurel Bush Family Dentistry, Macy’s, PSA Financial, SAIC, Schneider Electric, Southern States Cooperative, The L&L Company, Jeffrey Potter, P.A., Allied Phillips,Animal Medical Center of Bel Air, Bruce Grau & Associates, Chesapeake Title Company, LLC, Free State Numismatics, Grandizio, Wilkins, Little &Matthews, LLP, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Jones Dykstra, Kathy Casey Consulting, Kramon & Graham, P.A., Lynch Construction, Morgan Stanley, PNCBank, Point Breeze Credit Union, Wingate by Wyndham, C& C Customs II, Inc.,84 Lumber, Mars Supermarkets, NBRS Foundation, Stone House Jam Academy andWhat’s Your Story.
For more information about the festival or SARC, visit www.sarc-maryland.org or call 410-836-8431.
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