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NATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOONING IN INDIANOLA, IOWA FOR 37 YEARS
The National Balloon Classic is in Indianola this week and that means about 100 hot air balloons of various colors, size and shapes are in the air whenever the wind is calmer than 10 miles per hour during early morning and evening hours. Balloon pilots compete thru various tasks assigned by a Balloon Meister to accumulate points to qualify for National Races.
Our relationship with this unique activity started in 1970 when Don Kersten of Ft.Dodge,IA, Ed Youst of Sioux Falls, SD and Don Piccard of Newport Beach, CA arranged for a National Championship meet at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, IA. 18 balloons were entered by pilots and their support crews who needed housing and a place to practice the week before the event. Tom Ackerman of Simpson College learned of the need and arranged for the College facilities to be available. One thing about ballooning was soon learned; besides having a place to launch from they needed a place to land. A committee for Farmer Relations was formed and maps prepared showing red areas where balloons were not welcomed.
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