Welcome to the 2008 Mayor's Cup Hot Air Balloon Race
The 2008 Mayor's Cup Invitational Hot Air Balloon Race is complete! The
weather provided more than a few challenges, so there was no official
competition for the Mayor's Cup trophy. But we held two Moon Glows and Saturday
morning five balloons were able to fly.
A special thank you goes out to the
Rochester Rough
Riders. They provided a trailer with a public address system that allowed us
to make announcements as balloons were being inflated at Badger Ridge Park.
The
Running Room and the Rochester Rough Riders also supplied the fencing we
used at the launch site. Thank you!
Click here for the 2008 Photo Gallery.
Thank you to Terry Greenwaldt, the Picture Guy for his excellent images!
 Harley
Davidson Key Grab Scheduled for Saturday Night
A Harley Davidson Key Grab is scheduled for the Saturday night (June 28th)
competitive flight.
Balloonists from seven states will compete for the coveted Mayor’s Cup as well
as a new Harley Davidson motorcycle, courtesy of
Rochester Harley Davidson.
A pole will be placed in the center of the field, and an envelope attached to
the top of the pole will contain the keys to a new Harley Davidson 1200L
Sportster. The balloonist who flies close enough to the pole to grab the
envelope will take home the Harley. This will be a very exciting event and will
be followed by another Moon Glow!
Moon Glows scheduled for Friday and Saturday Night
 We
will be doing a Moon Glow on Friday night June June 27 at 8:45 PM as well
as Saturday night June 28th at the same time.
A Moon Glow is when pilots inflate the balloons at dusk. The balloons light up
like giant light bulbs. If winds do not allow pilots to stand up their balloons,
we will do what is commonly referred to as a "Field Of Fire." That's
where the balloonists shoot their propane burners into the air without balloons
above them.
Whether it's a Moon Glow or a Field of Fire, it's a great show and
an excellent photo opportunity for everyone. This is a new event at the Mayors
Cup in 2008 and a very popular event at balloon races all across the country.
NEW LAUNCH SITE FOR 2008! Badger Ridge Park in Northwest Rochester on Superior Drive NW
will serve as the new home for the Mayors Cup Hot Air Balloon Race starting in
2008. This park is just south of the old Celestica Building.
Click here for an interactive map and a link to
driving directions.
 Official Schedule of Events - Click Here!
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