Hot Air Affair takes off Friday
After drawing more than 4,000 visitors to the Cameron Municipal Airport last year, the Old School of Cameron Hot Air Affair Balloon Festival takes off Friday with twice the number of balloon pilots slated to attend.
Originally conceived in a dream by event founder Denise Maddex, the Hot Air Affair hosted 19 participating balloons in 2022 but Maddex expects many more to begin dotting the Cameron skyline Friday.
“I’ve got 35 balloons. Last year, I had 19. I wanted 40 balloons this year … We’re going to do two flights - two glow (flights) - one on Friday night and one on Saturday night,” Maddex said.
Festivities begin 7 p.m. Friday with a Fun Flight, followed by an 8:30 p.m. Sunset Glow, where pilots light up the night sky. Just after sunrise Saturday, around 6 a.m., pilots will participate in a competition flight. At 10 a.m. inflatables and laser tag stations open to the public. At 1 p.m. BTC Bank will host a pedal pull for area kids. At 2:30 p.m. the band Mixology will take the Bank Midwest-Re/Max stage with headliner Surfing’ USA - a Beach Boys tribute group - taking the stage at 5 p.m. The Cameron Municipal Airport will host another Fun Flight and Sunset Glow at 7 and 8:30 p.m. to wrap up the event.
The funds raised from the balloon festival will go to bringing the Old School of Cameron up to Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and restoring two buildings on Third Street the city condemned in 2021 due their questionable structural integrity. While speaking to the Cameron City Council in 2022, Maddex said the event raised more than $10,000. Tickets are available through EvenBrite.
Click here to purchase tickets. https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/camerons-hot-air-affair-2141109?fbclid=IwAR3nS3sx-RmBiKGY5joyB6ePa3_-pDdRRmD8_fnNWm41Hdo4hDhYLcVSxBQ
