The Hotel Pattee in Perry took its high-flying image to the National Balloon Classic yesterday for the start of the annual Indianola event.
The landmark Perry hotel is one of the event’s sponsors, which continues until Aug. 1. It is also sponsoring one of the show’s hot air balloons and will be cooking breakfast for the crowd.
ThePerryNews.com caught up with Denise Hartz late Friday night. She stayed in Perry to manage the hotel while her husband, Jay, took the trademark Hotel Pattee food truck to the showgrounds near Indianola.
“My daughter Miranda just got home from Indianola where she was working with Jay and another employee, Kevin,” she said. “Everything’s going very well, and of course Jay is still working and will come home later.”
Saturday would see Jay Hartz leading the Dawn Patrol into the field early, Denise said. The hotel is the only vendor serving breakfast at the nine-day spectacle. They will be cooking breakfast on four mornings.
“He’s going to be there at 5:30 in the morning for the first Morning Glow,” Denise said. “It’s an early event. Tomorrow morning he’ll be the only vendor serving breakfast.”
She said the morning menu would include fresh grilled peaches, French toast sticks, fresh coffee and just-made hot egg and bacon on an English muffin.
Three lucky winners have also been named in the hotel’s random drawing for free rides in the Hotel Pattee balloon. The names of Jon Thompson, Kristen Hethcot and Laura Mallas were drawn, and they will be eligible to take their free Hotel Pattee balloon rides any morning or evening during the event, weather permitting.
The nine-day National Balloon Classic is expected to bring 70,000 to 90,000 visitors to Warren County to view about 80 balloons, according to organizers of the annual event. Daily balloon flights and competitions start at 6:30 a.m., and evening flights begin at 6:30 p.m. Musical entertainment appears nightly at 6 p.m.
Other events include a Nite Glow Extravaganza at dusk Wednesday, July 29, a Balloon Challenge 5K race at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 and fireworks at dusk on closing day, Saturday, Aug. 1.
Along with the daily balloon flights, races, target contests and other events, the Indianola Chamber of Commerce will host an open-air market Saturday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Indianola Square.
The market will be held in conjunction with the National Balloon Classic’s Wacky Classic Parade and will feature artists and vendors selling handicrafts and artworks. Visitors can stroll around the square, visit the retail shops and enjoy entertainment for children and adults alike.
Admission to the event is $5 for ages 6 and older.
