Sheronda Greenwood and David Black prepare for Sunday morning's
Balloon Pilot's Brunch, that was the send-off for this year's Balloon Festival.

 

Hopkins County Says Good-Bye to
Balloon Pilots at Sunday Brunch

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

Following a very, very successful weekend of flying balloons in Hopkins County, the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board and Balloon Committee celebrated with a brunch at the Southwest Dairy Museum, on Sunday morning, as a fun weekend was highlighted and celebrated. A number of awards were given, both serious and for several of the pranksters in the group.

Barbara McKenzie won the "Landowners Award" for her cooperation with allowing balloon pilots access to her property and the cordial reception she gave when they landed on her property!

 

 

    

 

Winners in the DARE promotional golf ball drop were Rhonda Williams $500.00,
Leslie Rawson $200.00, and Reed Scrap Metal $100.00. Congratulations to the
winners.

 

A number of games, including the Saturday night, golf ball toss, a baggie drop, and attempts at hitting targets, throughout the weekend had provided challenges for the pilots, as they flew over Hopkins County skies.

"I was a very successful weekend of being able to fly balloons," denoted both Sheronda Greenwood, Rally Balloon Miester, and Dr. David Black, President of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board. "The weather cooperated on every occasion, except Sunday morning, and many, many people from Hopkins County were afforded a flight in a hot air balloon. That makes it extremely pleasant for everyone concerned!"

 

 

"Mark your calendars for the second weekend of June in 2013 and make plans on being back!" expressed Dr. Black, to the balloon pilots. "We're planning an even bigger and better rally for next year!"

 

 

 

 

 

One of the highlights for the balloon pilots, each year, is the cow milking contest, where they have a competition among themselves, to see who can get the most milk!"

 

 

The Balloon Pilot Milking Contest Winners!!!

 

"And, of course, we always enjoy the Ice Cream!" exclaimed Greenwood. "It don't get any better than that, all the ice cream you can eat for $3.00. We have some folks that eat at least $10.00 worth of those wonderful confections!"

 

Balloon pilots presented Dr. David Black with a "signed" dairy hat, for all of his hard work in helping
them all weekend with locations, landowners, and anything they needed!

Congratulations to the pilots and the committee on a great balloon rally for 2012! And, thanks for gracing our skies with the beautiful balloons! We look forward to seeing you next year!

 

 

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