Clark Philippines Hot Air Balloon Festival Expected to Draw 100,000 Spectators to the Clark Zone

CLARK FREEPORT - 01-05-08 – Prepare for a weekend of everything that flies as the Clark Freeport will be hosting the 12th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta from February 7-10, 2008.

The Hot Air Balloon Festival is the Philippines largest aviation sports event. The 12th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is expected to outdo last year’s event, held at the Philippine Air Force area. The event hoarded more than 100,000 spectators.

Clark Development Corporation President Levy P. Laus said reports reaching his office revealed that last year’s balloon fiesta has doubled by more than 100 percent based on the more than 100,000 gate receipts collected by event organizers.

Business was also brisk during the 11th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta as concessionaires reported increased earnings due to the crowd that attended the aero sports event.

Laus said Clark’s tourism-related industries are also expected to benefit from the annual event as hotels and villas inside the Freeport and nearby Angeles City are usually fully-booked.

Aside from spectators, the 11th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta attracted 22 balloon pilots from 15 countries. Event organizers are also expecting close to the same number of participants for the February 2008 aero sports event.

Twenty one balloons are due to show-up this year with 19 hot air balloons flown by foreign pilots from the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, Germany, England, Sweden, Hungary, The Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Korea. The other two balloons will be flown by Filipino pilots.

Joining this years lineup are some balloons of unique designs. These new and colorful balloons include two innovative balloons – an octopus from Japan and a tiger from Germany.

Also expected to highlight the 12th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta are the following aero sports activities: sky diving, ultra-light fly-in, airplane rally and balloon bursting competitions, aerobatic stunts, aero-modelers flight exhibition from the Aero modelers Association, helicopter fly-by and choreographed kite flying demonstrations by the Kite Association of the Philippines.

Other expected highlights of the event are mini-trade fairs, food plazas, automobile and airplane shows and exhibits, game booths, and live concerts – which were all mounted by the CDC’s Marketing Department and the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office.

This years Hot Air Balloon Festival is to include a new and exciting addition called the “Clarksiyahan” – a “packet of activities” to be held from Feb. 8-10 at the CDC Parade Grounds. Clarksiyahan, is to feature a drag race, bikini open, spelling quiz/bee, PEP squad competition, inter-school street dancing, locators’ product selling, and the Johnny Walker rave party and fashion show.

TENTATIVE HOT AIR BALLOON SCHEDULE FOR 2008

ENTRANCE FEE TO THE CLARK INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FESTIVAL

Entrance fee for each day of the the balloon festival event is P100

Note: The above schedule is from the official Philippine International Hot Air Balloon site. Clark Subic Marketing makes no claims or guarantees as to its accuracy. This schedule is subject to change without notice.

DIRECTIONS TO CLARK FREEPORT

Getting to the Clark Freeport Zone, otherwise known as the Clark Special Economic Zone by car is easy. Simply needs to take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit at Dau, Mabalacat. After your exit, a left turn towards Angeles City, and a little Angeles City/Dau traffic, will bring you to within an easy right turn of the Clark Zone itself. The trip should take about an hour and a half from Manila without heavy traffic.

For Additional Questions, Please Call: 0929-314-9191