45th Annual Hot Air Balloon Race
This year marks the 45th annual Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race, taking place May 31 – June 2, 2018. Balloon pilots come to the Alpine Village of Helen, Georgia from across the country to fill the sky for a three day display. The Helen to the Atlantic is the United States only long distance hot air balloon race of it’s kind & the oldest balloon event in the South.
Race competitors will take to the sky Thursday, May 31 at 7:00 am weather permitting. The competitors in the cross-country event will take off from Helen and vie to be the first one to cross Interstate 95 (the finish line) anywhere from Maine to Miami. The shortest distance from Helen to I-95 is 225 miles. However, the balloons can only travel where the winds aloft take them.
While the competition to the Atlantic continues, other balloonists compete in local events beginning Thursday evening around 6 pm. Local flying events will take place also on Friday and Saturday. The balloons will fly around 7:00 am & 6:30 pm each day (weather permitting). Balloons will only fly for approx. 1 to 2 hours. You can join in the action too! There will be opportunities available to the public; assisting with the inflations, being a part of a chase crew, taking a tethered ride in a balloon or a champagne flight over the mountains. Be sure and bring your cameras for special moments.
Questions regarding the event should be directed to race headquarters at 706-878-2271 at the Helendorf River Inn.
DATE
May 31, 2018 – Jun 2, 2018
TIME
7:00am – 7:00pm
LOCATION
Helendorf River Inn, 33 Munich Strasse
Helen, GA 30545
For more information contact:
Race Headquarters: The Helendorf River Inn 706-878-2271