The 21st Annual Centralia (IL) Balloonfest Aug 20-22, 2010

Centralia Foundation Park, Centralia IL

Southern Illinois' hottest hot-air balloon event is expected to draw about 40,000 visitors the weekend of Friday-Sunday, August 20-22, 2010 to Centralia Foundation Park. The 21st Annual Balloonfest will again feature a fleet of hot air balloons and endless entertainment potential.

You can expect more than 40 hot air balloons from around the country. Aside from the fleet of brightly-colored hot air balloons will be the eye-catching special shaped balloons. In the past, this has included such as Noah's Ark with animals poking their heads above the gunwhales,

The balloons will participate in daily races as well as Friday and Saturday's dusk balloon glows next to Catfish Pond when the tethered balloons are lit up by the hot air-generating heaters starting at 7:30pm.

More Than Balloons

Naturally, there's much more than just balloons including musical entertainment, a variety of vendors, craft fair, car show (12:30-4pm Saturday), cardboard boat races at the park's Catfish Lake, child-oriented activities, and even a Friday night fireworks display.

Free entertainment includes main stage performances by country band South 70 Friday (8:30pm) and Lee Logan and The Legendary Drifters Saturday (8:30pm). There's also free entertainment under the picnic tent Friday at 4pm by Stone Hedge, and Saturday from 10am to 7pm to include children competing as part of the Balloon Fest Idol contest, the band Still Willin' and a 4pm encore performance by South 70. On Sunday, 11am to 5pm entertainment under the picnic tent includes performances by Jacks or Better and Shakey Dave.

There's a church service under the picnic tent at 8am Sunday.

A final balloon race closing out the weekend activities is Sunday at 6pm.

Admission, Parking, Information

Bring lawn chairs and cameras along with sunscreen. No pets, alcohol, coolers, bicycles, skateboards or in-line skates permitted.

Admission (north gate at Foundation Park) is $2 adult or student, children 6 and under free $5 for three-day pass. Parking is $3 daily. (A Pepsi can gets you $1 off). Handicap parking with internal handicap shuttle service is available at announced times (check the website). For charter or bus, call 1-888-2600 to reserve a parking space.

August 24, Tuesday: COMPETITION

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Judges: Member Trios with judging 3-light system

Competition: Designated Topic "Flowers" and "Miscellaneous"

September 11, Saturday: PICNIC IN THE PARK

Facilitator: Cheryl Taylor, (618) 654-4521 koe@hometel.com

10:00 A M. - 3:00 P.M.
POT LUCK at Pavilion #1,
Fireman's Park, Maryville Park, IL

Details in August FOCUS

September 14, Tuesday: INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM/COMPETITION

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Topic: "Digital Imaging"

Speaker/Judge: Don Bevirt

Competition Topic: "Miscellaneous"

September 28, Tuesday: INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM/INDOOR SHOOT

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Topic: "Shooting with Candlelight"

Speaker/Facilitator: Ralph Haury

Bring camera and tripod for indoor shoot

Oct 1 DEADLINE: Submit framed prints to Cahokia Mounds Competition

October 9, Saturday: Possible but not Definite TREE HOUSE SHOOT

11:00 A.M. Meet at CARD to share rides.

Facilitator: Cheryl Pride, (618) 233-3091 cpride3353@aol.com

Wildlife Bird Sanctuary Take 1-255 North to end of Highway. See September FOCUS 12:00 noon Meet at Tree House

October 12, Tuesday: INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Topic: "Photo Hand Coloring"

Speakers: Wayne and Vaneese Shaw.

Members get hands on experience

October 16, Saturday: WORLD BIRD SANCTUARY OPEN HOUSE

9:00 A.M. Meet at CARD to share rides to the World Bird Sanctuary,

125 Bald Eagle Rd., Valley Park, MO 63088

Facilitator: Cheryl Pride, (618) 233-3091 cpride3353@aol.com

OPEN HOUSE provides variety of animals, activities and photo ops.
10:00 A.M. Meet at RAPTOR EXHIBIT at Sanctuary, (take 1-44 West)

October 26 Tuesday INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM/COMPETITION

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Topic: "Still Life for Video"

Speaker/Judge: Mark Ahlvers

Competition Designated Topic: "Transportation"

October 29-31 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. WEEKEND TRIP

Spring Mill State Park, IN – Nature Trip

Doll Factory Tour etc

Halloween Costume Party--- $75 Deposit

Facilitator: Cheryl Taylor, (618) 654-4521 koe@hometel.com

Look for more details in the June FOCUS

Novemberember 9, Tuesday: INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM/COMPETITION

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Topic: "Shooting the City"

Speaker/Judge: John Locus

Competition Topic: "Miscellaneous"

November 13, Saturday: HISTORIC ST. CHARLES SHOOT

Facilitators: Thom and Marge Downey (618) 235-8206 tmdowney@accessus.net

Details in October FOCUS. Meet for breakfast then meet in St. Charles.

December 5, Sunday: HOLIDAY PARTY

2:30 P.M. Party starts at The 17th Street Bar and Grill

1711 W. Highway 50, O'Fallon, IL

Facilitator: Carolyn Dawson (618) 259-0990 and Pat Patsloff (618) 345-4761

3:30 Dinner served in Private Dinning Room "Rob-your Neighbor's Present" game: bring a $10 gift to participate

December 11, Saturday: COMMUNITY SERVICE SHOOT

Special Community Service Shoot

Facilitator: Chuck Parr, (618) 463-8911 parr1416@charter.net

January 11, Tuesday: INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM/COMPETITION

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Topic: "Light Room"

Speaker/Judge: Dave McWhirter

Competition Topic: "Miscellaneous"

January 25, Tuesday: COMPETITION

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Judges: Scott Kane and Jim Simmons

Designated Competition Topics: "Animals" and "Action"

Tonight is the DEADLINE to submit your PHOTO SEQUENCE entry to the Facilitator.

January ?? BUTTERFLY HOUSE SHOOT

9:00 A.M. The Butterfly House in Faust Park

15193 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, MO. 63017 (636) 530-0076

Facilitator: Sammylane Wirth (618) 233-8443 Sammylane@charter.net

Meet at the entrance for ticket discounts. (Here's a buy-one-get-one-free coupon -Randy)

January or February Any Saturday with SNOW ST. LOUIS ZOO SHOOT

Facilitator: Pat Patsloff (618) 345-4761 or (618) 616-4070

Last minute notice by facilitator via email and/or phone. Notify the Facilitator if you wish to attend a possible snow shoot.

9:00 A.M. meet inside the main entrance building,lower level.

February. 8, Tuesday: INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM/COMPETITION

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Topic: "Street Photography"

Speaker/Judge: Jim Brooks

Competition Topic: "Miscellaneous"

Tonight is the DEADLINE for BEST-OF-FIVE entry to Facilitator.

February. 22, Tuesday: ROUND TABLE INSTRUCTION

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Facilitator: Pat Patsloff (618) 345-4761 or (618) 616-4070

Five members give 20 minute rotating sessions on "Photo Tips"

March ? THEATRE/MCKENDREE UNIVERSITY SHOOT

4:00 P.M. meet at McKendree University Parking Lot across from the fountain.

Facilitators: Marvin Meyer, (618) 345-4057 or (618) 978-2029 marvinmeyer1944@yahoo.com and
Wayne & Vaneese Shaw (618) 234-4191 vaneeseshawl@charter.net

6:00 P.M. Dinner at Dr. Jazz Soda Fountain & Grille,230 Saint Louis Street, Lebanon, IL
7:30 P.M. Looking Glass Playhouse, 301 St. Louis St., Lebanon, IL performance details in Januaryuary FOCUS

March 8, Tuesday: COMPETITION

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Judges: Member Trios using 3-light judging system.

Competitions: Designated Topic "Candlelight" and "Miscellaneous".

March 22, Tuesday: PHOTO SEQUENCE COMPETITION

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Photo Sequence rules in Redbook

Judge: TBA

Submit Entry by Januaryuary 25 to Facilitator: TBA

April 12, Tuesday: BEST-OF-FIVE COMPETITION

CARD Building - 7:00 P.M.

Entries consist of your five best images taken at any CACC shoot/trip.
Best-of-Five rules in Redbook
Judge: TBA
Note: Submit Entry by Februaryruary 8th to the Facilitator: TBA

April 26, Tuesday: BEST-OF-YEAR COMPETITION

5:15 P.M. Dinner at Ravanelli's
26 Collinsport Drive Collinsville
IL 62234 (618) 343-9000

ANNUAL AWARDS presented by Rose McKenzie-Nichols andDave McWhirter

7:00 P.M. All prints and slides that won awards during year are judged to determine the Best-of-Year Winners.   Submit your entries by 6:00 p.m.
Judges: TBA