The South's oldest balloon event and the United States' only long distance hot air balloon race will begin (weather permitting) with a mass ascension of 30 bright and colorful hot air balloons, in North Georgia's Alpine Village - Helen. Race competitors and local flyers will take to the sky at 7:00 am on Thursday.

If the weather conditions are too windy or storms are forecast, the take off will be postponed until conditions are acceptable. While the competition to the Atlantic continues, other balloonist compete in local events beginning Thursday evening around 6:00 pm.

Local flying events will take place also on Friday and Saturday. The balloons will fly around 7:30am & 6pm each day (weather permitting). The balloons will only fly for around 1-2 hours. There will be many 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.