Colorado Springs Balloon Classic on tap this weekend

One of America's best-known hot air balloon festivals, the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic, is 26 years old and celebrates the anniversary at Memorial Park Saturday through Monday with over 100 balloonists in its annual free event.

More than 115 balloonists are registered for the event, which has been free to the public for the past 25 years. The event is held in the soccer fields and rose bowl areas of the park.

"Pilots come in from all across the nation to fly at this prestigious event, which is considered one of the top five largest balloon rallies in the country," said Balloon Classic owner and president, Patsy Buchwald.

A number of the balloons are favorites from years past, such as Hagar, the Horrible, the Sinton Cow, and the flying 7-UP can. Festival-goers this year will enjoy the RE/MAX balloon, shaped like a house. It stands six-stories tall, is wider that a tennis court, and required nearly 3,000 yards of fabric to make.

Activities start at 5:30 a.m. daily, with the mass ascension set for 7 a.m. each day, weather permitting. No dogs are allowed, and smoking is not prohibited at the event.

If all the ballooning at the three-day event isn't enough, there are dozens of food vendors on-site, and other live entertainment. The group Up to No Good will perform at 5 p.m., Saturday. It is described as "a house rockin' blues band with a simple philosophy - start out rockin' and don't stop till the party's over."

A group called Radio London kicks off Sunday morning. It plays classic covers by the Stones, the Beatles, The Doors, The Who and Willie Dixon. The bluegrass group Yukon performs Sunday at 5 p.m.

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