Plano Balloon Festival
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Plano Balloon Festival is held each September in the City of Plano, Texas. The 27th Annual ViewPoint Bank Plano Balloon Festival was held September 22 - 24, 2006 at Oak Point Park. Subsequent Plano Balloon Festivals are scheduled for September 21 - 23, 2007 and September 19 - 21, 2008.
Possible events include balloon launch; various shows ranging from children's science exhibits to dancers; and live bands. A paraglider group may descend to the balloon launch field. After dusk, several balloon pilots assemble with their equipment on the balloon launch field and conduct synchronized firings of their balloon's burners, an event known as a balloon glow. Weather may alter the performance of events, either by preventing or delaying a particular performance, or by eliminating some element of the performance. For example, the balloon glow can be performed without the usual hot air envelope over the gondola. The day's events may end with a fireworks display.
The venue of the Plano Balloon Festival precludes events common at other balloon festivals, such as the key grab or bag drop. Such competitions require large, open spaces for the balloons to maneuver. The City of Plano is located within the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, which is densely populated.
