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| A Hot Air Balloon Floating by Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn & Spa |
Dozens of majestic hot air balloons will take to the skies over the North Georgia Mountains May 30 – June 1, 2013 as part of the 40th Annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival. Each year competitive hot air balloonist vie for the title in the nations only long distance hot air balloon race, which takes them from Helen, Georgia, the Bavarian themed mountain town near the Village of Sautee, on east-bound winds toward the Atlantic. The first balloon to cross Interstate 95 anywhere between Maine and Miami wins. This year approximately 30 balloons will ascend when the race starts at 7:00am on Thursday May 30, 2013, weather permitting.
In addition to the long distance race, 20-25 other hot air balloons will be taking part in local events over the three days of the festival. These events start at 7:30am and 6:00pm each day, weather permitting. There will be plenty of opportunities to participate including assisting with inflating balloons, being part of a chase team, taking a tethered balloon ride or a champagne flight over the mountains (champagne flights require an advance reservation).
The bright and colorful balloons participating in the race and festival are always a fantastic sight from Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn & Spa. Last year many of the inn’s guests were surprised during morning coffee on the deck when dozens of colorful balloons started lifting off at the start of the long-distance race and floated along the mountains and passed the inn. Each year during the festival we enjoy watching the fanciful and graceful balloons as they float by the inn, so quietly that we can often hear the conversation of the folks in the gondola. The views from Lucille’s are great all year long, but we especially like the extra excitement that dozens of hot air balloons add to the scenery. If you would like to enjoy a relaxing night or two at Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn & Spa during the festival just give us a call at 706-878-5055.