Preparations expand for Second International Balloon Event in Dallas

Feb. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- DALLAS — The World Balloon Convention is an international event that is coming to Dallas for a second time this March. With nearly 450 delegates from around the world already registered, the event is inflating into a bigger and better version than the first mega-spectacle. And, the public will be able to view the amazing sculpture competition entries at the Festival of Balloons on March 25th, a Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel

Nearly a half million balloons were used throughout the World Balloon Convention in 2010, and about 150,000 were used in competitions alone.  An estimated 600 of the world’s top balloon artists will come to enhance their skills and compete in nine different competitions. Pioneer Balloon Company event coordinator, Julie Conner, says they expect everything to be bigger in Texas this time around.

“The total number of delegates and competition entries will be greater than our 2010 event,” said Conner.  “And, we are also preparing for larger crowds than the 10,000 or so people that came to view the sculpture competition entries at our first Festival of Balloons.”

So far, international representation in the competitions is as follows:

Large Sculpture – Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, USA, Australia, South
   Africa, Italy, Japan
   Medium Sculpture – Hong Kong, USA, Japan
   Balloon Fashion – USA, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Slovenia, Japan, Singapore
   Deliverable Sculpture – Canada, Hong Kong, USA, Taiwan, Japan
   Table Arrangement – USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Australia, Japan, Israel,
   Delivery Bouquet – USA, Hong Kong, Hungary, Australia, Japan
   Balloon Column – USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Hungary, Japan, Australia,
   Singapore
   Balloon Hat – USA, Taiwan, Slovenia, Japan
   Balloon Figure – Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, USA, Slovenia, Japan,

"What can you expect to see at the Festival of Balloons 2012? There will be Texas-big, larger-than-life, never-before-seen masterpieces by the world’s best balloon artists,” said Conner. “The Festival of Balloons is a chance for the public to see the possibilities of balloons as an artistic medium. It is a must-see that truly blows people’s minds!”

Public admission to the festival is $5; children 12 and under are free. Parking is only $5 in the Sheraton parking garage. Photos at the event are allowed and encouraged. The Sheraton Dallas Hotel is located at 400 North Olive Street in Dallas. For convenience and to avoid a wait in line, this year online ticket purchasing has been made available at http://festivalofballoons.eventbrite.com.

WBC and the Festival of Balloons are produced by Pioneer® Balloon Company, maker of Qualatex® balloons, Wichita, KS.