2 WEEKS UNTIL LIFT OFF!!

With only 2 weeks till lift off for Canowindra International Balloon Challenge things are buzzing. As the excitement builds the committee are pleased to announce that the Hummingbird from the Balloon Capital of the World ….. Albuquerque …… is coming to the Balloon Capital of Australia …. Canowindra. 
This spectacular special shape balloon will not only hum across our skies but will light up at the Cabonne Country Balloon Glow on Saturday 22^nd April. “It is indeed a great thrill for us to have the Hummingbird coming” said Jan Kerr.

The number of volunteers is growing daily. A group of wonderful students, all in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, along with teacher Andrew Phelan from Canowindra High School have volunteered to be one of the Target Teams for the balloon competition. “This service to our community organisation shows what a truly responsible group of students we have here in town” said Chairman of Canowindra Challenge Inc, Graham Kerr.

The program is now printed and as well as being on as a flipbook on the website    www.canowindrachallenge.org.au   it is available at Visitor Information Centres and selected outlets around the Central West.

Finally, please purchase your tickets to the Balloon Glow through the website and for Canowindra residents please pre purchase tickets from the Age of Fishes Museum for $15. This offer is only available from the Museum until Wednesday 19^th April.

Come and enjoy the spectacle and “Share Our Air” 18^th to 25^th April.

Official Program is now hot off the press

Check out the 2017 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge Program hot off the press. Entitled “Share Our Air”, the program embodies the essence of the event which will draw visitors from far and wide and locals out and about for a huge week of balloon chasing fun from 18th to 25th April.

Welcome to The Riches of the Region

The program kicks off with an official welcome from Graham Kerr, Canowindra Balloon Challenge Inc Chair, and Ian Gosper, Mayor of Cabonne. 

Visitors and locals alike are invited to enjoy the abundant pleasures including local food, wine and hospitality. We encourage you to experience all that is on offer including a smorgasbord of culture, art, nature and fun.

Plan Your Balloon Challenge Right Now

The perfect tool to successfully plan your visit to the Canowindra Balloon Challenge, the program provides a full list of ballooning events, spectator events and the entire line-up for the Balloon Glow evening on the Saturday.

Click through to the program page on the website and flip through to see the full program of events. 

Click through and then flip through to see what's on for the week.

$6,500 PRIZE FOR 2017 KAVANAGH BALLOON KEY GRAB ANNOUNCE

Gun pilots will be jockeying for position to snatch a prize worth approximately $6,500 officially announced for the Kavanagh Balloon Grab at the Canowindra Balloon Challenge this year.

One of the Most Spectacular Events

The major piece of ballooning equipment will be up for grabs in what is arguably one of the most spectacular events in the program line-up which will run from April 18th to 25th.

In the competition, balloons launch from a site of their choosing (at a minimum distance away) as declared by the flight director according to wind conditions on the day.

The aim is to fly in and try to pluck a large key from the top of a flagpole. The key represents the major prize for the first one to get it.

Not to Be Missed

Spectators gather outside a safety exclusion zone around the flagpole to watch the fleet approach and cheer the pilots on. This is not part of the weekly point score but is a separate ‘not to be missed’ event.

INTERNATIONAL INTEREST MOUNTS FOR 2017 CANOWINDRA BALLOON CHALLENG

International interest in the Canowindra Balloon Challenge is running hot with plans for contestants and officials from all over the world being put in place for the eight-day event in April.

The event will be run in the school holidays from the 18th to 25th April this year with the skies set to come alive with the roar of burners when mass hot air balloons take flight in competition, joy and commercial flying.

More Than 10,000 Visitors Expected

During the Canowindra Balloon Challenge, the town receives more than 10 thousand visitors to see the balloons. The wide-open spaces, ideal weather conditions, friendly township and hot competition will this year see competitors and officials from the United States, France, and New Zealand gracing the skies.

Internationally Officiated Competition

The event will also be internationally officiated this year with the Director and Assistant Director of Competition coming from Canada for the Challenge.