ANDERSON, SC - Local officials and residents have come together to create a new balloon festival, named The Great Southeast BalloonFest, for the Anderson and Upstate regions on Labor Day weekend. Organizers plan to showcase a variety of music (country, beach, rhythm and blues, and adult contemporary), and those special things that make our community unique (Celebrate Anderson, Zambelli fireworks displays, Skin’s hotdogs, Midnight Flight, Clemson football, and a genuine love of cars and motorcycles).

About 70 hot air balloonists from across the country will compete for prizes and the title of “The 2007 Great Southeast BalloonFest Champion.” Additionally, nearly a dozen pilots are expected to compete for prizes and the title “2007 South Carolina Champion.” The balloon competitions are sanctioned by the Balloon Federation of America.

Festival events will take place Friday through Sunday at the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center (ASEC) on Mall Road in Anderson. The balloon flights will occur throughout the area; but will likely be seen taking off, passing over or landing near the ASEC. Balloon events will run Friday through Monday.

The 2007 BalloonFest will include nationally recognized entertainers and local talent. Children can spring up and down at BouceFest or take a helicopter ride. Pooches can be in a parade or get adopted at PetFest. About 1,500 soccer players are expected to compete in a three-day SoccerFest Tournament. The hot dog- and wing-eating contests are sure to be crowd pleasers. Other events on the front lawn will include “Meet the Pilots” sessions, and Clemson and Florida State pep rallies.

Cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles and radio-controlled airplanes will all be features of the Big Boy Toy Show on Saturday and Sunday. One-day, early registration costs $10 per vehicle, and $15 per vehicle for both days. Drivers may also pay $15 per vehicle on the day of the show.

Although several events are already planned, there is more to do before Labor Day weekend. Participants, volunteers and sponsors are welcome to be involved in The Great Southeast BalloonFest. To volunteer for festival events or to help crew a balloon, call the Anderson County Community Relations Division at (864) 260-1004. For entertainment or concert details, contact ASEC at (864) 260-4800 or TicketMaster at (864) 233-2525. Information is also available at www.greatsoutheastballoonfest.com.

Anderson County, the City of Anderson, GAMAC, the Anderson Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and AnMed Health are sponsors of the inaugural BalloonFest.

Main Stage Line-Ups Announced “BalloonFest” concerts provide variety

From country to beach music. From old-school rhythm and blues to adult contemporary. The inaugural Great Southeast BalloonFest concert line-up will offer plenty of variety.

The main stage concert series kicks-off on Friday, Aug. 31, at 7:30 p.m. as record-breaking new artist BUCKY COVINGTON headlines a night filled with country music at the William A. Floyd Amphitheater. Covington finished in the Top 10 on last season’s hit television show American Idol. Opening the concert will be the NASHVILLE STAR TOUR featuring winner ANGELA HACKER and three other finalists.

The week of April 25, Covington had the No.1 country music album, according to both Billboard magazine and Soundcan. Covington’s self-titled debut CD opened at No.1 on Soundscan’s Country Top 75 chart with 61,000 units sold. Covington’s debut CD also entered Soundscan’s all genre top 200 chart at No.4 and to date is the only new country act to open inside the top five this year.

The strong sales debut comes as no surprise, as Covington's record has already become not only one of the most critically acclaimed CDs to come out of the American Idol franchise, but one of this year's best-reviewed country albums. With those first week sales, Covington has the distinction of having not only 2007’s biggest unit debut from a new country artist, as well as the best first week sales and highest Top 200 debut for any new male country artist since Billy Ray Cyrus in 1992.
“Nashville Star,” which just completed its fifth season on the USA Network, is a combination talent search and reality series that aims to find the next country music superstar. The Nashville Star Tour will feature the four finalists, including ANGELA HACKER, her brother (and first-runner-up) ZAC HACKER, DAVID ST. ROMAIN, and JOHUA STEVENS. The performers will appear in reverse order of their final positions on the television show.

The music moves indoors on Saturday afternoon as THE CATALINAS headline a beach music concert inside the Civic Center of Anderson starting at 5 p.m. The eight-piece JUMPSTREET BAND will get things started with their blend of beach, R&B, dance and other forms of upbeat music. Doors open at 4 p.m.

The Catalinas, first formed in Charlotte, NC, in 1957, are best-known for their hit single “Summertime’s Calling Me” from 1975. Some of their other Catalinas classics include, “You Haven't The Right,” “Facts Of Love,” “Dancin'-Romancin',” and “Hey Little Girl.”

Tickets, going on sale through TicketMaster starting July 26, are $9 in advance, and $12 day of show. Theater-style and round table general admission seating will be available inside the air-conditioned Civic Center. The floor of the Civic Center arena will turn into a giant dance floor, and just outside the large roll-up doors beside the stage will be sand, tiki bars, freshly grilled food, and more fun and games.

Once The Catalinas play their final note inside the Civic Center, the gates will open again at the William A. Floyd Amphitheater for an 8 p.m. old-school rhythm and blues show on Saturday, Sept. 1. Presented by 3DeeConsulting, the concert will feature the ever-popular MORRIS DAY AND THE TIME. The opening artist for the show will be announced soon. General admission tickets go on sale through TicketMaster on July 26, with prices set at $16 in advance and $21 day of show. Gates open at 7 p.m.

Morris Day and The Time's most prolific and visible period came in 1984 when Day played the antagonist to Prince in his film Purple Rain, which helped establish Day's playboy stage presence. The band’s most popular hit singles, which appealed to urban and pop audiences, include “The Bird,” “Jerk Out,” “Jungle Love,” “777-9311,” “Color of Success,” “Fishnet,” and many others.

The 9th annual “Celebrate Anderson” wraps up the main stage entertainment on Sept. 2, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the William A. Floyd Amphitheater. This year’s special guest performer, who will be accompanied by the GREATER ANDESON MUSIC ARTS CONSORTIUM (GAMAC), will be the legendary RITA COOLIDGE. GAMAC is under the direction of conductor R. Alexander Spainhour, III.

The annual free admission concert will end in the traditional way with live, patriotic music and a Zambelli fireworks show, one of the biggest in Upstate South Carolina.
Picnic baskets are welcome, but no glass containers, please. In keeping with the Celebrate Anderson tradition, parking for the event will be free beginning at 5 p.m.

Rita Coolidge had several solo hit singles during the late 1970s. Her first hit, “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher,” a cover of the Jackie Wilson song, was also her highest seller, reaching No.2 on the charts in 1977. Her other hits, including some additional covers, were “One Fine Day,” “We're All Alone” “Fever,” “I Don’t Want To Talk About It,” “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” and “I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love.” She scored another hit in 1983, with “All Time High” for the James Bond film Octopussy. Another well-known movie song, was the love theme from the movie Splash, entitled “Love Came For Me.” Once married to Kris Kristofferson, they recorded together the hit singles “A Song I’d Like To Sing,” “Loving Arms,” and “Lover Please.”

For more information on The Great Southeast BalloonFest, call (864) 260-4800 or (864) 260-1004, or visit www.GreatSoutheastBalloonFest.com.

ADDITIONAL CONCERT INFORMATION:

The outdoor performances are scheduled rain or shine, and there will be no refunds because of inclement weather. Guests should come prepared with a poncho or rain gear. Umbrellas are not permitted at the shows because they block the view of other patrons. With the exception of service dogs, pets are not permitted inside the Amphitheater or on the festival grounds.

William A. Floyd Amphitheater gates will open one hour prior to each concert. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Outside food and beverages are not permitted for Friday and Saturday night concerts. For “Celebrate Anderson” on Sunday, however, picnic baskets with food and beverages will be permitted. Glass containers are not allowed. Food and beverages will be available for purchase inside the Amphitheater for all concerts. Video cameras are not permitted inside the Amphitheater. Wheelchair seating is available inside the Amphitheater. For handicap patrons, the upper gates of the Amphitheater (near the main Chris Taylor Park entrance) offer the easiest access into the special seating area. One attendant per wheelchair is permitted inside the handicap seating area.

For Saturday afternoon’s beach music concert inside the Civic Center of Anderson, theater-style and round-table seating will both be provided. Lawn chairs are not permitted inside the Civic Center. Outside food and beverages and pets are not allowed. Doors will open one hour prior to show time.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Aug. 31 – Sept. 3, 2007

* NOTE: Times and Events Subject To Change.

FRIDAY, AUG. 31:
• Balloon Viewing, main grass parking lot, no parking fee (7 a.m.)
• Sponsor and media flight (7 a m.)
• Pilot registration (2-4 p.m.) & master briefing (4:30 p.m.) at Ramada
• Glow and/or Competitive Balloon Flight (7 p.m.)
• Grass Parking Lots Open For Bucky Covington Concert, $5 per car (4 p.m.)
• “BounceFest” Kids Activity Area Opens, Front Lawn, Sponsored by SpaceWalk (4 p.m.)
• The Great Southeast BalloonFest Soccer Tournament (6 p.m.)
• Bucky Covington Country Concert inside William A Floyd Amphitheater (7:30 p.m., gates @ 6:30 p.m.)
• Glow at Midnight Flight, YMCA/AnMed Health (10 p.m.-midnight)

SATURDAY, SEPT. 1:
• Balloon Viewing, main grass parking lot, no parking fee (7 a.m.)
• Morning briefing, competitive balloon flight (7 a.m.)
• The Great Southeast BalloonFest Soccer Tournament (8 a.m.)
• Big Boy Toy Show (cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, etc.) (Registration 8-10 a.m., Show 10 a.m.-until)
• Anderson County Animal Shelter’s “PetFest 2007,” Chris Taylor Memorial Park (9 a.m.)
• Grass Parking Lots Open, $5 per car (10 a.m.)
• “BounceFest” Kids Activity Area, Front Lawn, Sponsored by SpaceWalk (10 a.m.)
• Big Boy Toy Show (10 a.m.-until)
• Local Talent Stage, Midway (10 a.m.)
• Helicopter Rides (10 a.m.)
• Disc Golf Competition/Exhibition (time: TBA)
• “International BrewFest” inside Civic Center (2-4 p.m.)
• “Meet The Pilots,” Civic Center Front Lawn (2-4 p.m.)
• Hot Dog Eating Contest, Sponsored by Skin’s (3 p.m.)
• Clemson Pep Rally, Civic Center Front Lawn (2-5 p.m.)
• Catalinas Beach Music Concert inside the Civic Center (5 p.m., doors @ 4 p.m.)
• Morris Day & The Time Concert inside William A Floyd Amphitheater (8 p.m., gates @ 7 p.m.)
• Glow and/or competitive flight (7 p.m.)

SUNDAY, SEPT. 2:
• Sunday Sunrise Memorial Flight (competitive balloon flight) (6:30 a.m.) Roger and Mike Clark spread the ashes of Duane Clark
• The Great Southeast BalloonFest Soccer Tournament (8 a.m.)
• Grass Parking Lots Open, $5 per car (noon)
• Big Boy Toy Show (noon-until)
• “BounceFest” Kids Activity Area, Front Lawn, Sponsored by SpaceWalk (noon)
• Local Talent Stages, Midway (noon.)
• Helicopter Rides (noon)
• Clemson vs. Florida State Blood Drive (time: TBA)
• Disc Golf Competition/Exhibition (time: TBA)
• Beach Music Concert at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum Front Lawn (time: TBA)
• “International WineFest” inside Civic Center (2-4 p.m.)
• “Meet The Pilots,” Civic Center Front Lawn (2-4 p.m.)
• Wing Eating Contest, sponsored by Hooters (3 p.m.)
• Florida State Pep Rally/Tailgating Experience (Civic Center front lawn, 2-5 p.m.)
• Celebrate Anderson Concert inside William A Floyd Amphitheater & Fireworks (7:30 p.m., gates @ 6:30) featuring GAMAC & Rita Coolidge

MONDAY, SEPT. 3:
• Balloon Viewing, main grass parking lot, no parking fee (7 a.m.).
• Morning briefing, competitive balloon flight (7a.m.)
• Balloon awards banquet at Civic Center (noon)
• Flights over at Clemson tailgate areas
• Clemson vs. Florida State football game at Death Valley (8 p.m.)