Colorful skies are a hallmark of Fourth of July celebrations, and weekend festivities surrounding the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Fest put that sparkle in both day and night skies.
The fun lifts off with activities starting July 2 with a launch party on the Square in Canton in front of the old Trolio Hotel. From 5-8 p.m. at least two balloons will be inflated on the ground, giving visitors a preview of what's to come. Grady Champion provides the entertainment.
July 3's Celebrate America Balloon Glow, 6 p.m. at Northpark mall, on the Balloon Glow Field between the mall and Pear Orchard Road, delivers colorful balloons and country music for free family fun. The Carltons South Carolina Show Band plays at 6:30 p.m. and headliner Diamond Rio kicks into action at 8:15. Fireworks finish the evening.
One July 4, the activities are concentrated at the Canton Multi-Purpose Center as five special shapes and 16-17 regular hot air balloons inflate into action.
"It is one of our biggest events of the year, and it'll be special this year since the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday," says Lisa Ward, events coordinator with the Canton Parks and Recreation Department. "We're doing a patriotic theme with the skydivers coming in with the American flag. I think this year will be bigger and better. ... It'll have that little special patriotic aura to it."
Free fun starts at 4 p.m. in the Kids' Fun Area and hands-on entertainment, including a candy cannon, tower of bubbles and phenomenal face painting by Babin House of Party from Baton Rouge. Look for the Patriotic Skydiving Team at 5:30 p.m. and Special Shape Fiesta at 7:30 p.m., where Pandy the Panda, Jumpin' Jack, Off the Wall - Humpty Dumpty and, for the first time, The Little Bees—Joey and Lily delight the crowds.
Balloon competition flights are at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. July 4 and 7 a.m. July 5.
The weekend events draw thousands, with "tremendous family traffic," says Jo Ann Gordon, executive director of the Canton Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"Every event that we try to produce ... is so geared toward families, to get them away from everyday TV games and to come out and see the unusual. Certainly, you don't see a hot air balloon every single day of your life. And they are so beautiful."
Inspiring, too. Just ask Joe McKay, a fest fixture since its start in 1986. "I wasn't a pilot the whole time. I started crewing and became a pilot in '93," says McKay, who was born and raised in Canton and lives just outside the town. McKay now pilots the red- and black-striped balloon Beetlejuice. "It started out as a hobby, but it's turned into an adventure."
He's no fan of heights, but "flying a balloon is different from that," McKay says. Peering down from a high bridge will spook him, but flying in a hot air balloon? "Doesn't scare me a bit."
For more information on the fest, call (601) 859-4358 or visit ballooncanton.com.
Some other metro-area celebrations:
Red, White & Jackson
When: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. July 2
Where: Smith Park, Jackson (afternoon), In front of Old Capitol Museum, State Street at Capitol Street, Jackson (evening)
Highlights: Free food and beverages, live entertainment by Faze 4
Cost: Free
Contact: (601) 948-7575
Baptist Health Systems Watermelon Classic 5K Run and Walk, Tot Trot and 1-Mile Run for all ages
When: 7:30 a.m. July 4
Where: Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, 1152 Lakeland Drive, Jackson
Highlights: 1,500-plus runners and walkers in the state's largest road race, tons of watermelon, bananas and a costume award
Cost: Pre-registration, $18, ends 5 p.m. July 2; race day registration, $25, 6:15 a.m. July 4; no registration for Tot Trot (age 3 and younger)
Contact: (601) 982-8264 or www.msfame.com
Mississippi Braves vs. Jacksonville Suns
When: 7:05 p.m. July 4
Where: Trustmark Park, 1 Braves Way, Pearl
Highlights: Independence Day Celebration, Shirts Off Our Backs Patriotic Jersey Night, wear red, white and blue; fireworks show
Cost: $5-$31.25
Contact: 1-800-745-3000 or (601) 932-8788 or msbraves.com
Old-Fashioned Fourth of July
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 4
Where: Mississippi Craft Center, 950 Rice Road, Ridgeland
Highlights: Music by Chris Gill and the Sole Shakers, demonstrations by master craftsmen, burgers and hot dogs for purchase, watermelon and ice cream available, activities indoors and out
Cost: Free
Contact: (601) 856-7546 or mscrafts.org
Family Fourth Celebration
When: 7 p.m. July 4
Where: Liberty Park, 810 Madison Ave., Madison
Highlights: Live music, fireworks and all the fixings are on tap in Madison as swing band Madison All Stars and singer Cary Breedlove take the stage; free watermelon and lemonade
Cost: Free
Contact: (601) 853-9109
Family Fireworks Extravaganza
When: 6 p.m. July 4
Where: Traceway Park, 200 Soccer Row, Clinton
Highlights: On top of the big fireworks display (starting at 9:30 p.m.), this extravaganza features music from country rocker Juice Newton and classic rock cover band The Fabulous Earth Angels
Cost: $5 parking
Contact: (601) 924-6082
