Become a part of Callaway Gardens’ 17th annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival, Sept. 4-6, 2015, by joining a chase crew.  Chase crews follow balloons in flight and recover them once they’ve landed.  It’s a terrific way to get involved with your community and experience ballooning first hand.
 
Crews assist pilots with inflating, launching, “chasing” and packing the balloons.
 
A good pair of gloves and a little time are all that are needed.  In return, crew members learn about ballooning and have access to the balloon festival and all the great activities and attractions at Callaway Gardens.  
 
There is a Balloon Glow on Friday and Sunday with set-up beginning around 7 p.m. The launches are Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6, between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. and again between 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.  Between these hours, some pilots will offer tethered rides and will need assistance. Crew volunteers should be available at these times.
 
Balloons fly wherever the wind blows and usually travel five to seven miles before landing.  Chase crews maintain radio contact with a balloon pilot. Once the balloon has landed, the crew assists with retrieving a balloon and its passengers and escorting them back to Callaway Gardens.
 
Approximately 150 volunteer chase crew members are needed.  Crew members must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license and be able to volunteer at the Balloon Glow on Friday night and for both flights on Saturday and Sunday.  Each balloon needs a four- or five-member crew.
 
If you are interested in becoming a chase crew member and can be there for all three days, or if you have questions about the event, please contact Andy Brown, Callaway Gardens’ recreation director, [email protected].
 
The Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival will be an exciting time and becoming a chase crew member is a great way help make this event safe for members of our community and successful for the thousands of visitors who will be in town to enjoy Labor Day weekend.