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Hot-Air Balloons a-Plenty in Galesburg This Weekend
Hot air will likely greet hot air balloon enthusiasts to Galesburg starting Friday and running through the weekend.

The annual Galesburg Great Balloon race starts tonight at Lake Storey with the first competitions at 6:00 p.m. Friday, and throughout the weekend.

Organizer Greg Saul tells WGIL Mother Nature always is a concern for this event, unfortunately, because nearly perfect conditions are needed to launch the hot-air balloons for the races -- especially in terms of wind.

"Anything around 10 miles an hour we can fly in. Little bit quicker than that, we usually don't take passengers. Some of the pilots can fly, because they are used to flying in high winds, but yeah we usually don't take passengers in because they are not adapt enough to go up in a balloon."

20 balloons are expected to be on hand and compete -- some as far away as in parts of Missouri.

In addition to the races themselves, Saul says there will be raffles, a craft fair on Friday and Saturday, and other things.

Admission is free, and you can find out more information by CLICKING HERE.
07 29 11 by Newsroom
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