Gainesville — The weekend following Labor Day this year will truly be a “spectacular” one in North Texas as 20 hot air balloons take to the sky as part of North Texas Medical Center Foundation’s “The Sky’s the Limit Balloon Spectacular” slated for Sept. 7-9 in Gainesville.

Gainesville’s first balloon festival is off to a great start.

“We are thrilled to have 20 hot air balloons for our first event,” said Kristi Rigsby, Executive Director of the North Texas Medical Center Foundation, coordinator of the Balloon Spectacular.

She noted the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — an annual event which features approximately 750 balloons — began with just 13 balloons.

Interest from balloon pilots has been immediate, Rigsby said.

“We actually have six more balloons on a waiting list, but our budget would only allow us to bring in 20 this year,” she said.  “It costs several hundred to several thousand dollars to bring these balloons and pilots in.”

Pilots are coming from far and wide to participate in The Sky’s The Limit, she said, adding pilots from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Texas have signed on for the local balloon spectacular.

“Each has voiced their excitement about coming to Gainesville,” Rigsby said. “They think Cooke County is a perfect spot for hot air ballooning, and they will be bringing a lot of people to the area. Hotels, restaurants and merchants stand to gain a lot from our event.”

The Sky’s the Limit Balloon Spectacular will feature 14 traditional balloons, one racer, three custom shapes and two corporate balloons, she said.

Festival participates include Jeff Abel and Nate Abel of Fort Worth with their balloon Temno Pivo  (Dark Beer in Croatian), Ann Kirby of Houston with Morning Kiss, Liz Magee of Columbia, Mo. with Gordo, Jim Roybal of Rhome with Flash and Scott Matthews of Plano with LuLu.

The family-friendly weekend festival begins Friday evening, Sept. 7, at the Gainesville Municipal Airport with gates opening at 4 p.m.

Guests who arrive for opening ceremonies at 5:30 p.m. can view a mass ascension and competition flight.  

At 7:30 p.m., balloons will return to the field for the traditional balloon glow — a spectacle which features balloons during which pilots will tether their balloons on the field and light their burners to illuminate the envelope. The effect is a beautiful, sparkling spectacle of color on the ground.

Rigsby said the balloon glow will be “a photographer’s dream.”

If conditions are favorable and officials deem it safe, spectators will be invited to walk among the balloons and view the beautiful creations up close.  Not all festivals allow such intimate interaction, so those attending this show are in for a real treat.

Also featured on Friday and Saturday evenings during the Balloon Spectacular are tethered hot air balloon rides at $20 each.  Prior to and during the event, hot air balloon rides can be booked for $200 per person.  Pre-book at www.theskysthelimit.org. Spots are filling quickly.

Other activities include a multitude of merchandise and information booths, a children’s zone full of unique activities for the kids and plenty of delectable festival foods.  Grab some chairs and a blanket and stake your spot.  Gates close at 10:30.

On Saturday, Sept. 8, things begin early as the gates open at 6 a.m., with balloons flying in from outside locations to fly over targets at the airport.  

The fly-in will begin roughly at 7:15 a.m. and continue until 9 a.m.  There is a slight break in the balloon action until the evening session, which begins with opening announcements at 5:30 p.m., and another mass ascension of balloons flying from the airport until 7:30 p.m.  Around 7:30, the balloons will glow once more before handing over the spotlight to Texas country legend Charlie Robison, who takes to the Sky Stage at 9 p.m.  Gates close at 11:30 p.m.

Also on Saturday night, a special “Champagne and Propane Ball” will honor our visiting pilots, sponsors and supporters of the North Texas Medical Center Foundation.  

Tickets are $60 each and include a full gourmet meal and a fantastic view of Saturday night’s balloon glow.  The event will be held in the Tomlinson Hangar at the airport.

Nine regional chefs from Morrison’s Food Services will each host a station – appetizers, salad, entrée, dessert – as they each compete for a chance to take the top catering prize back to their hospitals.  It will be a mouth-watering social event you will not want to miss.  Call (940) 612-8600 for reservations.  Space is limited.

Sunday morning will be the time to say goodbye and catch one more glimpse (and photo) of the gorgeous cloud skimmers as the balloons fly over targets at the airport between 7:15 and 9 a.m.  Gates close and the event concludes at 10:30 a.m.

For fly-in events on Saturday and Sunday morning, balloons will be launched from at least two miles away and fly over the event grounds at the Gainesville Municipal Airport.  

Launch site and time will vary depending on weather and wind direction.

Admission for Friday and Sunday is $5.  Saturday admission, including the concert, is $10.  Children under two are admitted free.  All proceeds go the North Texas Medical Center Foundation, for the benefit of North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville.  Advance tickets ($2 off) will be available beginning Aug. 13 at North Texas Medical Center and American Bank in Gainesville.

Rigsby said The Sky’s The Limit is the first event of its kind in Gainesville.

“It will be a sight to see,” she said.

All activities for The Sky’s The Limit are weather-permitting.  

All times are approximate and schedule may change without notice.  

Go to www.theskysthelimit.org or follow the festival on Facebook for the latest news as the event approaches.

For more information visit  the website at www.theskysthelimit.org. Information is also available at “The Sky’s the Limit” on Facebook, by phone at (940) 612-8600 or via email at kristi@theskysthelimit.org.