Uncle Sam hot-air balloon to appear
at Lincoln Balloon Festival    

[MAY 13, 2004]  The Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce proudly announces that the Uncle Sam special shape hot-air balloon will participate in the 16th annual Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, which will take place Aug. 27-29 at the Logan County Fairgrounds and downtown in Lincoln.

Uncle Sam hails from South Dakota and is managed by the Corn Palace Balloon Club. Built in 1985, Uncle Sam is the first hot-air balloon to fly in the former USSR, at the historic 1989 Balloon Rally in Lithuania. Nearly 90 feet tall (the average balloon measures around 66 feet), Uncle Sam holds 110,000 cubic feet of air, and the envelope weighs over 400 pounds.

Mayor Beth Davis and the city of Lincoln will sponsor the Uncle Sam balloon. "We are excited about this year's balloon fest and the Uncle Sam balloon the city of Lincoln is sponsoring
this year," the mayor said. "We hope everyone will have time to come out and enjoy the fun planned at this year's event."

One of many attractions being planned for the 2004 Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, Uncle Sam promises to delight balloon fans of all ages. Visitors at the fairgrounds will enjoy 37 hot-air balloons and three special shape hot-air balloons, which will perform two glows and six flights over Lincoln. Other fairgrounds events include a craft show, karaoke contest, boccie ball tournament, carnival, beer garden, concessions and numerous other activities.

Bobbi Abbott, Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce executive director, said that Uncle Sam will be one of many sure-to-please attractions at the 2004 festival. "People come here to see those balloons," said Abbott. "We’re excited to be bringing new sights to the festival -- and we are always energized by the local pilots and community members who work hard to put on a great event year after year."

The chamber is currently looking for volunteers to work the grounds, crew balloons and assist visitors at the festival. For more information regarding the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, or to volunteer, contact the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce at [phone] or [e-mail]. More information is available online at www.lincolnillinois.com.

The Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival is organized by the Lincoln/Logan Chamber of Commerce with the support of local businesses and community volunteers. Festival visitors will find Lincoln conveniently situated near several major highways and located approximately 30 miles north of Springfield and 170 miles south of Chicago. The city was named for Abraham Lincoln and is home to several historic sites commemorating the 16th president.

[Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce
news release]

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