In the early morning hours in the skies over Casper this week you will most likely see a hot-air balloon or two or a dozen!

The Casper Balloon Roundup takes to the skies over Casper with the BIGGEST roundup to date. Over twenty balloons will launch from the Murane Playing Fields and Mike Sedar Park, both Saturday and Sunday mornings. With a number of pilots in the area between rallies in the area, there is also a chance you will see balloons in the air Wednesday, Thursday or early Friday morning - more than a dozen ballons are expected in the air for the annual media day. Listen to K2 Radio Friday morning as I take my annual flight and shares my experience with a live broadcast from 6 AM to 8 AM.

For those of you who want to get up-close and personal, we are giving away two hot air balloon rides, so get in and sign up today!

Race organizer Lacey Olsen and pilots Michael Gennetti and Neil Hibschweiler joined us this morning to talk about the event.

Volunteers are needed for each of the mornings Friday-Sunday and for volunteers

1) Please check in at the white shed at Murane Fields

2) Please wear closed toe shoes and have a pair of gloves for balloon crewing

3) Please be there Promptly by 5:15 am

for more information on volunteering see the website at Casper Balloon Roundup or call Lacey at 473-8300

Saturday, July 23

kicks off the 2011 event with a 6:00am Mass Launch. On Saturday evening beginning at approximately 8:00pm there will be a special “Candles in the Night” event, presented by The Parkway Plaza. All of the pilots will place their baskets on the field and ignite their burners for a show you won’t want to miss. This is also a great opportunity to meet and talk to all of the pilots! Plus, if Mother Nature cooperates, there is a chance a few of the pilots will blow up their balloon for a glow. A very special event, presented by Pepsi, will be held on Sunday, July 24th This year we will be having a special day just for the kids. “Kid’s Day” will begin at approximately 6:00 am with a “Mass Launch”. The famous RE/MAX Balloon will stay at “Balloon Fest Park” and give free tethered balloon rides to children Starting at 6:30am till 7:30am Ages 5-12

for a complete schedule of events, volunteer forms and maps of the area click here.

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