Make your way to Natchez this weekend for the annual Great Mississippi River Balloon Race, October 14-16! Known as Mississippi’s most exciting hot air balloon race weekend, this year’s event features two balloon flights each day, weather permitting and kicks off with a Balloon Glow and fireworks on Friday night! Pilots compete as they fly over the cities of Natchez, Vidalia, and the mighty Mississippi River. The festivities continue all weekend long with a stage full of chart topping musicians including Tonic, Randy Houser, Ingram Hill, Guitar Shorty, Brint Anderson's The Cosimo Effect, The Last Waltz Ensemble, Honey Island Swamp Band and Mark Adam Miller!

The festival itself takes place on the grounds of Rosalie Bicentennial Gardens, On Broadway Street in historic downtown Natchez. Here’s what to expect: (All times are approximate.)

Friday, October 14, 2011
 - 7:00 a.m. - Media Balloon Flight* sponsored by American Medical Response and Community Coffee
 - 6:00 p.m. - Gates open for the Bicentennial Gardens Balloon Glow 
 - 7:00 p.m. - Fireworks sponsored by The City of Natchez and The City of Vidalia
 - 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. - Live Music by The Cosimo Effect

Saturday, October 15, 2011
 - 7:00 a.m. - Morning Balloon flight* sponsored by American Medical Response and Community Coffee
 - 11:00 a.m. - Gates Open
 - 12:00 - Missippi Roots (yes, that's how they spell it!) 
 - 1:45pm - Honey Island Swamp Band 
 - 3:30 - Guitar Shorty - Afternoon Balloon Flight* 
 - 5:30 - The Last Waltz Ensemble 
 - 7:30 -Ingram Hill
 - 9:30 - Tonic

Sunday, October 16, 2011
 - 7:00 a.m. - Morning Balloon flight* sponsored by American Medical Response and Community Coffee
 - 12:00 -  Noon Gates Open
 - 1:00 p.m. - The Concordia Parish Talented Music Program
 - 2:45 - Mark Adam Miller
 - 4:00 - Afternoon Balloon Flight*
 - 4:30 - Randy Houser

Get Your Tickets Now! See you there!