Event Info
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Parking Directions via I-94
| The Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival takes place at the W. K. Kellogg Airport, Battle Creek, Michigan!
From I-94 – Take Exit 92 which is the Springfield/Skyline Drive Exit.
This exit will put you on Skyline Drive. You will go North on Skyline Drive approximately a mile; the Road will “Y” and you will stay to the right which is now Columbia Avenue; at the next traffic light (R & L Trucking and Atlas Sales/Budweiser will be on the south side) you will turn North on South Airport Road (passing Duncan Aviation) and follow it until it comes to a dead end which will be Parking Lot #6.
OR
Take I-94 to Exit 98B, which is the Downtown Battle Creek / M-66 Exit.
The very next Exit is Columbia Avenue – Exit 2. At the top of the ramp (traffic light) turn left which is West. You will stay on this through several traffic lights. At the sixth traffic light (Meijer will be on your left or South side) that is Helmer Road and you will turn right or North. This will take you to the Parking Lot.
OR
Take I-94 to Exit 92 which is the Helmer Road Exit.
At the top of the ramp, turn right which is North. This will take you directly to the W.K. Kellogg Airport. Please remember, Helmer Road is the most traveled road to the event grounds or W.K. Kellogg Airport. Please be prepared for traffic back-ups. PLEASE NOTE: NO SEMI TRUCKS ARE PERMITTED ON HELMER ROAD!
UPDATES:
LIKE our Facebook Page to get up-to-the-minute information about balloon launch and other information. Please tune in to FM WIN 98.5 for traffic & weather updates. Battle Creek Field of Flight Office 269-962-0592.
Handicapped Parking / Shuttle
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Upon entrance to the Parking Lots located off HELMER ROAD, simply show y
our handicapped parking permit. The Parking Committee will direct you to the designated parking area.
Also, if you will need any assistance or walking is a burden for you, simply let the Parking Committee know that you will need our “FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE,” and they will call the Shuttle Service Committee for you.
When you need to return to your vehicle, just ask a volunteer with a radio to call the Shuttle Service Committee to take you back to your vehicle.
There will also be wheelchair accessible port-a-jons on the event grounds.
Festival Guidelines & More...
| - AM & PM Hot-Air Balloon Competition is scheduled to start, weather permitting, on Thursday, July 4, 2013. There will be a practice flight during the evening of the 3rd but NO MORNING LAUNCH that morning
- All events/activities are subject to change & WEATHER PERMITTING
- Absolutely NO RAIN CHECKS
- On-Site RV Camping is available
- Bus Groups are welcome
- Kids 4ft and under are FREE EVERY DAY
- HANDICAP PARKING & FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE AVAILABLE - Ask a parking volunteer
- SMALL CANOPY TENTS ALLOWED on event grounds in Designated Areas
- Admission wristbands & parking passes are GOOD ALL DAY - See Schedule for pricing
- Coolers ARE allowed
- NO GLASS CONTAINERS WHATSOEVER
- NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES can be brought in, but can be purchased on-site with proper ID
- No Firearms Permitted
- No Sparklers or Fireworks Permitted
- No Pets allowed on event grounds
- No tents, chairs, blankets, etc. are allowed in GENERAL PARKING AREAS
- No Grills are permitted on event grounds except in the RV Camping Area - Rules will apply
- No bicycles, mopeds, golf carts, etc. are allowed on event grounds except if STATE APPROVED HANDICAP UNITS
- No overnight stays except in the RV Camping Area
- Admission and Parking Fees will apply - See Schedule for details
- NO REFUNDS OR RAIN-CHECKS
- NO PETS ALLOWED ON THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS
- See the Grounds Map (PDF)
History of the Field of Flight
| 1981 - Battle Creek, Michigan, hosted the 5th World Hot-Air Balloon Championship. Pilots from 23 different countries were represented, and the event drew nearly one million spectators to marvel over the beautiful array of 195 hot-air balloons.""Because of the overwhelming success of the 1981 World's Championship, Battle Creek decided to again submit a bid to host the 7th World Hot-Air Balloon Championship which took place in June of 1985. Only one other city in the United States has been chosen to host the World's Championship more than once.
1983 - Again, as a result of being the host city for the 1981 World's Championship, the decision was made to host the North American Challenge Cup in July of 1983. This championship was a competition between Canada and the United States. Unlike the World's, which is a week-long event, this event was for one weekend. The enthusiasm from the pilots, officials, spectators, volunteers, and the people of Battle Creek grew! This event was a success not only from the participants' viewpoint but also from the organizers' as it helped them prepare for the World's.
1985 - The 7th World Hot-Air Balloon Championship. Pilots from 21 countries were represented, and over one million spectators joined in the festivities. The World Hot-Air Balloon Championship is the most prestigious event in hot-air ballooning, and those pilots who make up the roster of competitors are considered the "best" from their respective countries.
After another successful World Championship, the Board of Directors of Battle Creek Hot-Air Balloon Championships, Inc., decided that ballooning should become an annual event in Battle Creek.
Therefore, in 1985 they submitted a bid to obtain the U.S. National Balloon Championship. This championship is held strictly for United States pilots, and pilots must have the proper credentials in order to participate. Plus, pilots must compete in the Nationals in order to receive an invitation to participate in the World's.
The Nationals had been held in Indianola, Iowa, for years; and the interest in being the new "host" city was sparked when the board learned that Indianola's contract with the BFA (Balloon Federation of America) was up. Battle Creek Hot-Air Balloon Championships Inc. sent five delegates to Des Moines, Iowa, where they met with the BFA Events Committee and thoroughly explained the contents of our bid and intentions to host this event yearly.
After their return from the bid proposal meeting in Des Moines, Battle Creek received word that it would be the new host city for the U.S. Nationals. However, a few days after that, they learned that because of internal discrepancies among the BFA Board of Directors and the BFA Events Committee, a vote by the entire BFA membership would have to take place to determine the site of the U.S. Nationals. The Board of Directors of Battle Creek Hot-Air Balloon Championships, Inc., decided to withdraw the bid to obtain the U.S. Nationals because it appeared a decision from the BFA would not be made in time to adequately organize an event of this magnitude.
1987-1994 - As a result, the decision to create a standalone event was made, which would offer the best in competition; prize money; free housing accommodations for pilots and observers; and be an event that would attract hundreds of thousands of spectators to the City of Battle Creek for days of family fun and excitement. Thus, the Battle Creek International Balloon Championship and Air Show began in July of 1987.
1992 - Battle Creek submitted a bid to host the 1995 World Hot-Air Balloon Championships and successfully achieved the support from the Competition Division of the BFA (Balloon Federation of America). Battle Creek, Michigan would now become the only city to ever host the world event three (3) times. (The last World Championship held in the United States was in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1985.). Air Show wise, 1992 saw the Italian Jet team, the Freece Tri Colore, perform in Battle Creek as part of their 1992 North American Tour.
1995 - Thirty two (32) countries were represented at the 12th World Hot-Air Balloon Championship. The World Championship is the most prestigious hot-air balloon event in the "world." Competitors vied for the title of 'World Champion' and the fiesta pilots competed for $10,000.00 in prize money. This eight (8) day event "(July 1-8, 1995) drew over 900,000 spectators.
1996 - Hundreds of balloon pilots and a million plus spectators made the Battle Creek Hot-Air Balloon Championship and Air Show an 'annual' stop. The World Balloon Invitational of Battle Creek was held June 29 - July 6, 1996.
1999, 2000, 2002, 2005 & 2006-Battle Creek was one of the only air shows in the nation to host both the United States Air Force Thunderbirds & Canadian Forces Snowbirds on the same day during so many events. The Snowbirds were also supposed to perform at the event in 2001, but due to an accident a week prior to the airshow, they had to cancel.
2003-After years of being known as the "Team U.S. Nationals & Air Show", the event became known as the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival. This name change came about due to the fact that the event incorporates a lot more than just air shows and hot-air balloons.
2006-Battle Creek becomes a part of air show history as the T-6A Texan II East Coast Demonstration Team performs their FINAL airshow performance & Texan Flight on July 4th, 2006.
2007-The United States Navy Blue Angels make their Battle Creek demonstration debuts. They performed a flyover during the event in 1998. The famed F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter makes its last appearance in Battle Creek before retirement.
2010- The US Air Force's NEWEST Fighter, the F-22 Raptor, makes it's Michigan Airshow debut. The event draws in over 179,000 people during 4 days.
2011- The US Navy Blue Angels return to Battle Creek, bringing a US military precision jet team back to the event for the first time since 2009. The first ever "Field of Rock" concert bash is held on June 30th.
2012- The US Air Force Thunderbirds return for the first time since 2009 and become Honorary Citizens of the City of Battle Creek. The event is plagued with severe heat in a record setting temperature summer. However, most balloon flights get off without a hitch. The "Field of Rock" name is adopted for Center Stage Concerts and is presented by FireKeepers Casino.
2013- Help us write history and come out for the 2013 Event, July 3rd-7th. This years event promises to be bigger and better than ever with new events, new acts, new participants & new fun right alongside everyone's favorites.
Fundraising Opportunity - Parking
| FUNDRAISER AVAILABLE FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
The Parking Committee is now seeking non-profit groups that would like to earn money for their organizations and have FUN!
If your non-profit organization is interested in this fundraising opportunity, please read the Parking Fundraiser Letter and then complete the Parking Commitment Form and 2013 Parking Schedule.
Things to Know
- Wear comfortable clothes, sunscreen and hats
- Bring lawn chairs for breaks
- No children under 14 years of age
- All children 14 - 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult
- Children 18 and older will count in your total
- Bring Coolers for beverages
- Water will be provided
- We provide safety vests and flashlights
Parking Fundraiser Letter for Non Profit Groups
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April, 2013
TO: Non Profit Groups looking for a great FUNDRAISER
FROM: Barbara A. Haluszka, Executive Director; Barb & John Hurdis, Co-Chairs; Linda & Randy Coburn, Co-Chairs
The plans for this summer’s Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival July 3 – 7, 2013 are strongly underway and we invite you to be a part of the fun and raise money for your non-profit organization!
We will kick off this year’s event with “Community Day.” Special activities are planned and it is only $10.00 per carload (maximum 10 people per car) with FREE gate admission (foot traffic will pay $5.00 per person). Spectators will also be able to go directly out on the launch field during the Hot-Air Balloon inflation and practice launch!
We are truly excited with all the activities surrounding this summer’s event! We have 50 Hot-Air Balloons; top-civilian air show performers including, National Champion Rob Holland; Otto the famous Helicopter; Flash Fire Jet Truck; Aerostars; Wing walkers and this is just to mention a few!
We have excellent Food Vendors, Arts & Crafts Vendors, Novelty Vendors including the Great Lakes Timber Group that will carve items right out of a block of tree using a chain saw! Center Stage Entertainment featuring a Matt Giraud – American Idol participant; Urban Legend, Kris Hitchcock; North Country Flyers and you won’t want to miss Midnight Special playing the best in “Rock & Roll.” This is just the beginning of all the great entertainment we have in store for this great five (5) day event! Enclosed is the Tentative Schedule of Events and I’m sure you will agree, we have activities for everyone.
Wait…….News Flash………we just confirmed the Michigan Mile! This is a new event to the state and certainly new to us! 25-30 custom cars will race for the best times! This will happen as part of our Air Show and it is sure to draw the dedicated race car fans!
Enclosed are the 2013 Commitment Form and the Tentative Parking Schedule Worksheet. Please remember, the more hours you work the more $$$$$$ you will receive. All groups working will share up to 20% of the total parking revenues. Please remember, we have a formula to calculate the number of people times the number of hours which is how your portion of the percentage is figured. So, please just complete the Commitment Form and fax it to the Balloon Office at 269-962-8687 or feel free to email one or both of the Parking Co-Chairs, as soon as possible to secure your group’s participation.
Once we have all the Commitment Forms, we will schedule a meeting with all groups in May to answer all questions and to go over our plans for traffic flow. However, in the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to call the Balloon Office at 269-962-0592 or Contact Us.
Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!
/BAH
Enclosures
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BUY A $50 RAFFLE TICKET!
FOUR LUCKY WINNERS WILL RECEIVE:
- 4 All Week VIP Badges
- 2 All Week, All Ride Carnival Passes
- 1 VIP All Parking Pass
- 1 Hot-Air Balloon Ride for one
Every ticket holder will WIN something!
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