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The Balloon Glow was a spectacular sight the past two years. |
Third annual Citrus Classic Balloon Festival July 30, 31
May 26, 2010
Santa Paula News
Spectators can watch approximately 25 hot air balloons illuminate at sunset, ascend in the morning, and compete aloft through the agricultural corridor of Highway 126 during the Third Annual Citrus Classic Balloon Festival, July 30th and 31st, in Santa Paula. The Citrus Classic also features a Sunset Wine Dinner, vintage Indian motorcycles, Vintage & Custom Chevys Car Show, live music, tethered balloon rides, free kids’ activities, Wine & Beer Tasting Pavilions, a recycled art contest, a 5K Run, an appearance by the LA GALAXY Soccer Street Team, and food and vendor booths. The festival will be held at Santa Paula’s East Area 1, conveniently located just off Highway 126 at 18249 East Telegraph Road.
Festival Components
Friday July 30 (5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.): Gates open at 5:00 p.m. Festival goers stroll the 8 acres of lawn, enjoying savory dinner items from food vendors, browsing over 50 vendor booths of arts, crafts and souvenirs, and enjoying beverages from various bars. The Tune Bandits welcome the crowd with folksy tunes. The Tasting Pavilion features wines from (10) participating wineries as well as beers from Miller Coors. Through advance reservations only, the Sunset Wine Dinner offers guests a chance to benefit Interface Children Family Services while enjoying premium seating while dinner guests enjoy great food, wine and limoncello.
Children delight in Time Warner Cable’s Kids Activity Korral, with “Einstein’s Got Juice” interactive science and technology displays on solar energy, wind power, citrus-powered batteries and more. WOW Inflatables’ incredible Titanic inflatable slide and other jolly jumps are great crowd pleasers, while kiddie trains, swings, face painting and prize wheels round out the fun. Over half of the kids activities offered are free with entry.
The Evening Glow’s crescendo comes at approximately 8:00 p.m., when winds calm, and the sun starts to set. Over twenty-five hot air balloons inflate and illuminate at sunset while tethered to the ground. It’s an exhilarating event, and a photographer’s delight. Visitors are welcome to get close to the tethered, “glowing” balloons and talk with Balloon Pilots. A special treat for children are the Special Shape Balloons, such as the Strawberry and the Lemon. The celebration continues long after the balloons deflate, with dance music, pilot prizes and more. Gates close at 10:00 p.m.
Saturday July 31 (5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.):
Ventura Ranch KOA’s Sunrise Balloons 5:00 am - 10:30 a.m.
Gates open at 5:00 a.m. to allow festival goers time to get coffee and breakfast items from vendors, set up photography equipment, or to place lawn chairs in the perfect spot for the 6:00-6:30 a.m. Mass Balloon Ascension* One by one, approximately 20 hot air balloons inflate and ascend into the morning skies when wind and weather conditions permit, framed against the quintessential Southern California backdrop of citrus orchards, palm trees and rolling hills. Spectators cheer on their favorite balloons as Pilots compete in the Hare & Hound Balloon Competition and fly out of sight.
Two hot air balloons will remain inflated and tethered on the grounds as long as winds and weather permit, giving spectators an opportunity to view them up-close, talk with Pilots, and even take a Tethered Balloon Ride. Once those balloons deflate, a Radio Controlled Blimp will then take to the skies, delighting the crowd with aerobatic turns and dives. The blimp signals the opening of the Time Warner Cable Kids Activity Area (7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.) Special Saturday attractions include Rodeo Roping with 10-year old Rawley Mathis, THE BEAST water balloon launcher, and a Historic Plane Fly-By by youth pilots. Active festival goers are invited to participate in the Zest For Life 5K Fun Run (8:00 a.m.) through the citrus orchards, benefiting the Santa Paula Hospital. After the races, runners join the returning Balloon Pilots and the community for a family-style Pilots’ Tailgate Breakfast (8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.). Ventura Ranch KOA will award race prizes from the Stage as the Vintage Motorcycle Show, and Santa Paula Chevrolet’s Vintage Car Show kick-off (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
Fun for the whole family continues with Consolidated Disposal Services’ Family Day (10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.) Balloon Pilots compete in a Marker Toss from the stage, while local artists and students compete in the Recycled Art Contest. The Motorcycle Poker Run concludes with a barbecue in the field (12:00 p.m.) The LA GALAXY Soccer Street Team (1:00 p.m.) makes a special appearance in Ventura County to share their skill drills with local youth, sign autographs and challenge players with a Penalty Kick game. The Craft Brews Tasting Pavilion will serve artisan craft beers from Anacapa Brewery of Ventura and other local breweries from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Live music, celebrity MCs, the motorcycle and car shows, the Kids Activity Area, the Vendor Village and the Wine & Beer Garden provide continuous entertainment throughout the day. See web site for frequent program updates.
Glow of the Blue Moon sponsored by Blue Moon Brewing Co. (5:30-10:00 p.m.) provides a kicking finale to the closing night of the Third Annual Citrus Classic Balloon Festival. Anticipation for the Balloon Glow builds as blue lights and glowing blue beach balls illuminate the field, and the crowd wins prizes linked to Blue Moon beer. The headline band, The Preachers Blues Band takes the stage as winds begin to calm, and the sun starts to set. Approximately 25 hot air balloons inflate, then illuminate at dusk.* At 9:30 p.m., Closing Ceremonies include the presentation of the 2010 Citrus Classic Champion Trophy and cash prizes to winners of the Hare & Hound Race. Dignitaries from throughout Ventura County will be on hand to recognize all the Balloon Pilots for their gift of inspiration to our communities. Gates close at 10:00 p.m. as the Third Annual Citrus Classic Balloon Festival draws to a celebratory close.
Admission Information, Ticket Locations & Hours
The Citrus Classic Balloon Festival is affordable fun, with entry at $20 for a family of four when purchased in advance. Advance Purchase Tickets are: $7.00 per adult; $3.00 for youths (14-5 years of age); free for children under age five. Gate Tickets are $10.00 per adult; $5.00 for youths (14-5 years of age); free for children under age five.
Advance Tickets may be purchased starting May 1st at the following locations:
• California Welcome Center/Oxnard, 1000 Town Center Drive, Suite 130, Oxnard CA 93036
Tel: (805)988-0717 www.visitoxnard.com
• Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau, 89 S California St # C, Ventura, CA 93001
Tel: (805)648-2075 www.ventura-usa.com
• Rancho Camulos, 5164 East Telegraph Road, Piru, CA. 93040
Tel: (805) 521-1501 www.ranchocamulos.org
• Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, 200 N. Tenth Street, CA. 93060
Tel: (805) 525-5561 www.santapaulachamber.com
• Santa Paula Times, 944 East Main Street, CA. 93060
Tel: (805) 525-1890 Fax: (805) 525-7375 www.santapaulatimes.com
Gates are open to the public 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday, July 30th; and 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday July 31st. Each Entry Ticket is valid only for (1) single date: festival goers attending both days of the festival must purchase two separate tickets. All festival events are subject to change or substitution. All ballooning events are subject to weather, wind and safety conditions and may be cancelled without recourse at the discretion of the festival.
Getting There, Parking, Special Needs
The Citrus Classic Balloon Festival is located at 18249 East Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060, at the intersection of Highway 126 and North Hallock Drive. It is conveniently accessed from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Bakersfield via Highways 5/405, 101 and 126. Local airports such as Oxnard, Santa Barbara, Burbank and Los Angeles are a short drive away. Private planes may also fly into the Santa Paula Airport. See web site for directions and maps.
Festival Parking Lots are located right off Highway 126, within a half-mile of the fairgrounds, are either walkable or short shuttle provided, staffed, and charge $7.00 per vehicle/$12 for 6+ passengers. The closest for-fee parking lot is reserved for Handicapped parking only; placards must be displayed. Free Municipal Parking is also available in Santa Paula municipal parking lots located throughout town and serviced by shuttle buses. See web site for map and directions. Over 200 overnight RV campsites are also available within 6 miles of event.
Accommodations, RVs, Special Offers
Hotel packages are available through Official Hotel Sponsors as follows: the Courtyard by Marriott and Hampton Inn located in Santa Clarita/Valencia; the Ventura Beach Marriott; and the Glen Tavern Inn, Santa Paula Inn, and Ocean Gateway Inn located in Santa Paula. Reference the Citrus Classic Balloon Festival when making reservations to receive updated specials.
RVs and campers are welcome at the Ventura Ranch KOA Campsite, located a convenient 5 miles from the festival venue. This campsite has been newly renovated, will accommodate over 200 RVs for overnight stays during the Citrus Classic, and offers free adult tickets with reservations.
Festival Location
Mayor James Tovias comments “On behalf of all the volunteers who have made this spectacular event possible, and the City of Santa Paula, I invite everyone to join us on the 30th and 31st of July. Come and experience our beautiful city and this wonderful event!” Known as the “Capitol of Citrus” and the birthplace of both California’s citrus industry and the Union Oil Company in the 1890’s, Santa Paula is situated in an agricultural corridor stretching between Santa Clarita and Ventura along Highway 126, Santa Paula is just 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles, but a lifetime away. Here, visitors step back in time to enjoy the authentic Southern California lifestyle of yesteryear: Old Towne Main Street, Craftsman style inns, the 1890’s oil boom, a private airport known for its antique airplanes, famous haunts of Hollywood’s Rat Pack, and citrus ranch tours. “The Citrus Classic Balloon Festival showcases the aspects of Santa Paula that we want people to see and experience,” stated Santa Paula City Manager, Jaime M. Fontes.
Balloon Meister & Pilots
The 2010 balloon competition and balloon pilots will once again be directed by Steve Wilkinson, Balloon Meister for the Citrus Classic Balloon Festival and founder of Fantasy Balloon Flights. Captain Wilkinson has been piloting balloons, directing and competing in balloon competitions for the past 30 years at events throughout the world. He has over 5,000 hours aloft as pilot in command, and pilots scenic balloon flights over Santa Paula and Palm Desert daily.
Explains Edwards, “Wilkinson will be piloting the lead balloon in the Hare and Hound race. The lead balloon this year is a Special Shape Balloon named “Limoneira Lifestyles” and owned by the Limoneira Company of Santa Paula. At over seven stories high, it is the world’s largest lemon. Wilkinson says “Word is out in the ballooning community about the Citrus Classic Balloon Festival, now in its third year.” He has received inquiries from balloon pilots from as far away as Utah, Washington State, and San Miguel, Mexico.
Community and Volunteer Support
“Hot air balloons are magical and fun to watch,” reports Nan Drake, Chair of the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce. “They add beauty to their surroundings whether they are tethered on the ground or majestically flying overhead.” Jim Luttjohann, Executive Director of Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau commented: “Ventura visitors love the balloon festival, which is only a ten or fifteen minute drive from our harbor village and historic downtown cultural district. So visitors can enjoy not only the festival, but also Ventura’s wonderful waterfront dining, wine tasting or shopping. I know several businesses are offering specials for the Citrus Classic as well.”
“The Citrus Classic was able to contribute over $10,000 to local charities in 2009, and we hope to substantially increase that giving this year. The balloon festival has been gaining terrific momentum for a 3-year-old event, but we are still seeking more corporate sponsors and funding,” says Edwards. “We urge all the hot air balloon fans, and those who recognize the economic stimulus of the event throughout the area to consider contributions of any size. Or volunteer - it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!”
Weather-Sensitive Event
All ballooning events are weather and safety dependent. Events may be postponed or rescheduled as a result. While this may cause some inconvenience, the Citrus Classic’s primary concern is the safety of balloon personnel, the community and the environment. The Citrus Classic will make every effort to keep festival goers on site updated on weather or safety conditions affecting the event.
