PLANO POLICE PROVIDE ID BRACELETS FOR KIDS AT FESTIVAL GATES

 

Officer Chris Bianez with the Plano Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit discusses the upcoming safety at the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival. If you’re bringing a child to the festival, make sure to get them registered at the gate. They’ll receive an ID bracelet with your cell phone written number on the back.  There will be two Lost Child booths on the festival grounds to help reunite parents with any children who may become separated from their families.

 

“Plano Balloon Festival has something for everyone.  Police and Fire personnel will be on hand for your safety and security. If you get a chance stop by our Crime Prevention Booth. We would love to meet you.”  Officer Chris Bianez

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INTOUCH CREDIT UNION PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF BALLOONING

The InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival is celebrating 40 years of ballooning in Plano during the three-day weekend that begins September 20. This annual festival is held in the City of Plano, proudly known as the Official Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas. More than 85,000 guests are expected to attend this 40th birthday party set in Plano’s largest park, the Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve.

 

“This is our birthday year and we are extremely excited about it! The InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival brings in pilots from all around the country and offers our community a low-cost, family fun event. The City of Plano does an outstanding job of supporting this event each year.” says Executive Director, Jo Via.

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6TH ANNUAL PLANO PEANUT BUTTER DRIVE

During the month of September the North Texas Food Bank is collecting regular-sized, plastic jars of peanut butter to help spread hope in Collin County. The InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival will accept donations at the entrance gates September 20-22, 2019 at Oak Point Park in Plano.  Admission is free for kids 36″ and under and $5 for ages 3-12 years.

The goal this year is for the City of Plano to collect 100,000 pounds of peanut butter. There are over 44,000 food insecure children in Collin County. The NTFB will accept peanut butter alternative donations during the food drive.

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ARTISTS ADD MORE COLOR TO 40TH FESTIVAL CELEBRATION

Local artists will add a splash of more color to our 40th birthday celebration September 20-22 by hosting a “Paint Out” during the three-day weekend. Members of the Plano Art Association, Southwestern Watercolor Society, and Outdoor Painters Society will be painting on-site in a designated tent and they’ll also have pieces on display to browse or buy.

 

“Be on the lookout for easels and brushes, and several professional artists adding more color to the 40th Birthday Celebration at the Plano Balloon Festival 2019.

The Outdoor Painters Society, Plano Art Association, and Southwestern Watercolor Society will be on the fair grounds for an “en plein air” event.  “En Plein Air” is French and, artistically, means painting in the open air.

Artist will have access to the Festival beginning Friday at 4pm.  They will be able to paint throughout the day on Saturday (6am – 10pm) as well.  On Sunday, the artists will meet in a designated area to display and offer their work for sale.  Stop by and meet the artists and cast your vote for the “People’s Choice” award.” — Irma Ward, Outdoor Painters Society, Director of Paint Out Events

Local artists are invited to participate in the paint out event. For information on how to register, contact irmaward99@gmail.com Continue reading “ARTISTS ADD MORE COLOR TO 40TH FESTIVAL CELEBRATION”

HALF MARATHON VOLUNTEERS SET THE PACE

The Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon is known for the custom finisher medals and hot air balloons, but has also received a tremendous amount of respect for the volunteers who help set the pace for other runners. The pace team for the 2019 race consists of 66 members of the Craig Ranch Running Club that serve as a pacer, floater or sweeper. Find out more about this dedicated group by visiting their Facebook page.

 

Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon 2:20 Pace Team
Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon 2:35 Pace Team

 

Pace 1:30    Karl Huchthausen, Keith Pierce, Brent Woodle
Pace 1:35    Rachel Warner, Kiley Couch, Jeffrey Christian
Pace 1:40    Kevin Newton, Ray Nichols, Raquel Jimenez
Pace 1:45    Ray Liberatore, Bob Smeby, Zach Shirely
Pace 1:50    Danielle Walker, Brian Hinton, Tuan Nguyen
Pace 1:55    Marcos Vargas, Scott Manis, Rishi Goel
Pace 2:00   Mark Trayer, Aiming Herrington, Meredith Cotton
Pace 2:05   Samantha Sells, Marissa Sifuentes, Jourdan Esquenazi
Pace 2:10    Ankush Bhatia, Jon Cotton, Jessie Anderson
Pace 2:15    John Lawson, Manzoor Mohideen, Tracy Boyd
Pace 2:20   Tim Montano, Sarah Snyder, Ana Fernandez
Pace 2:25   Ed Steinkamp, Glenn Robertson, Melody Ongayo
Pace 2:30   Marissa Zoda, Kristin Vega, Kathy Williams
Pace 2:35   Michael Hutchison, Julia Xia, Michelle Gallagher
Pace 2:40   Victor Salazar, Sandra Trevino, George Villareal
Pace 2:45   Kylar Anderson, Rosalind Buchalski, Mona Sepulevda
Pace 2:50   Bonita Rogers, Johanna Chi, Shana Williams
Pace 2:55   Heather Hutchison, Lynda Tilley, Shilpi Adya
Pace 3:00  Natanja Hunter, Monica Sanders, Susan Forsvall
Pace 3:30  Michelle Ranzer, Alison Moore, Blanca Garcia

 

Floaters:  James Allen, Janice Couch, Jeanette Caballero-Bell, Joe Perez, and Parvinder Ahlawat

 

Use discount code CRRC to receive 15% off runner registration. Online registration for the Half Marathon closes at 12pm (Noon) on Saturday, September 21, 2019. There is no race day registration available.  View the 2019 race shirts and medals that were revealed earlier this summer.

 

Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon 2:05 Pace Team
Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon 2:05 Pace Team

 

Plano Balloon Half Marathon 1:30 - 2:00 Pace Team
Plano Balloon Half Marathon 1:30 – 2:00 Pace Team

LAST RUNNER REGISTRATION DISCOUNT & RACE REMINDERS

Race fees go up at midnight on August 31!! Missed the early registration pricing?  Don’t labor over it because we’ve got one final discount deal.  Use code: PBFLABORDAY during the Labor Day holiday valid September 1 through September 3 and receive $5 off all distances.  Click here to sign up.

 

 

We also have two reminders that runners need to know! First, if you would like to order the packet pick up mailing, the deadline to do so is 11:59 PM on Saturday, August 31st. To add it, and manage your registration, simply click the link in your email confirmation that reads Manage My Registration or you can:

 

1. Login at www.runsignup.com
2. Select Profile from the drop down menu in the upper right corner
3. Find your PBF registration and click Manage My Registration
4. From the left side navigation select Add Ons and follow the prompts
5. Bonus, also on the left side navigation you can Transfer Events, meaning you can upgrade or downgrade your distance using this feature
6. Bonus Two, also on the left side navigation you can manage your Give Away, meaning you can switch shirt sizes using this feature
7. Bonus Three, also on the left side navigation you can Transfer To Another Runner, meaning, you can transfer your race entry to someone else (at no charge), using this feature

 

 

Second, there is no race day packet pick up. A friend or family member may pick up for you, we just ask that they have your email confirmation. Here are the all of the upcoming packet pick up dates, times and locations:

 

• Saturday, September 7th, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Rahr & Sons Brewery, 701 Galveston Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104
• Saturday, September 14th, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Academy Sports + Outdoors, 1101 West Arbook Blvd., Arlington, TX 76015
• Thursday, September 19th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Academy Sports + Outdoors, 6375 E. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75231
• Friday, September 20th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Plano Event Center | Spring Glade Room (east side of building), 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074
• Saturday, September 21st, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Plano Event Center | Spring Glade Room (east side of building), 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074

 

For answers to more FAQ’s visit www.pbfraces.org!

SOAR TO LEGACY WEST FOR FREE FESTIVAL TICKETS

If you like to fly where the wind blows then you’ll want to soar to Legacy West on Thursday, September 5th for an uplifting photo in their “Big Sky” balloon! The Plano Balloon Festival team will be on-site to greet and answer questions about the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival coming up September 20-22, 2019. We’ll also be there giving away two free tickets to each person who snaps a selfie between 11:00 a.m. and Noon (limited quantity while they last during this promotional event).

 

The Big Sky Balloon photo op is located directly across from Neighborhood Goods in Legacy West on Windrose Avenue.  Directions and a map with parking garages provide more information for easy access to the location.

 

 

Visit Plano is also giving away an exciting weekend package that includes: a 1-night stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Plano/Richardson, 4 tickets to the festival, VIP parking, a $50 restaurant gift card, and a picnic basket full of goodies.

 

InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival Celebrating 40 Years Of Ballooning

CONTEST WINNERS RECEIVE 2019 PHOTOGRAPHER BADGES

Congratulations to the 20 lucky winners selected to receive a 2019 Photographer Badge and parking pass to the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival. The call for entries began August 11 and the drawing was held Monday, August 19 at the Festival Preview in the parking lot of Central Market in Plano.

 

The badge permits unlimited admission throughout the three-day weekend to attend the scheduled activities such as the balloon launch in the mornings and balloon glow in the evenings.  Photographers are also allowed to show their badge and walk onto the field to get shots with their cameras that are so close you can feel the heat of the burners and hear the roar of the crowds.

 

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RUNNER REGISTRATION INCREASES AUGUST 31

Runner registration increases at midnight on August 31st for the Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon, Sky High Challenge, Elevate Challenge, 10K, 5K and 1K run/walk! All registration must be completed online since race day sign-up is not available.

 

Friday, September 20, 2019 at Noon the online registration closes for the Sky High Challenge, Elevate Challenge, 5K, and 1K. Saturday, September 21, 2019 at Noon the Half Marathon and 10K online registration closes.  All races are subject to being closed earlier if the event becomes sold out.

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SPECIAL SHAPE HOT AIR BALLOONS & PILOTS

Among the more than 50 hot air balloons at the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival you’ll find a handful of special shapes that evoke love, joy, swashbuckling fun, and even make you meow.

 

Celebrating 40 Years of Ballooning in Plano, we proudly share these as the beloved special shapes and pilots participating in 2019.  And if you’d like to volunteer to get a hands-on experience with the balloons then sign-up for a shift with a hot air balloon crew. Volunteers help with inflation, lift-off, landings, the evening glow, and receive a free festival shirt.

BIMBO BEAR – PILOT:  JOHN PETREHN

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