Largest Balloon Race in the Midwest Arrives at Eagle Ridge

GALENA, Ill. (May 13, 2008) - Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa (444 Eagle Ridge Drive) will be hosting the seventh annual Great Galena Balloon Race this summer, in a monumental event that will feature over 20 hot air balloons and benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The three day event will take place from June 20 to June 22 and will include a fun-filled weekend of activities for guests and locals alike. All events will be held on the North Course practice range where the following itinerary will take place:

Friday, June 20: The weekend kicks off amidst the arriving balloons with spectators getting a special balloon launch prelude by Galena On The Fly at 6 p.m.  Food and beverage concessions; live music; and kids' activities, including face painting and an obstacle course, are also part of the opening events. An Ale Fest will be happening simultaneously, where guests can purchase tickets for $20 to sample more than 100 of the finest craft beers. The night concludes with the Night Glow Extravaganza where the participating balloons will light up the night sky. 

Saturday, June 21: At daybreak, early risers can watch the Crack of Dawn Balloon Race, which starts at 6 a.m. Throughout the day, balloons will fill the sky and rides will be available. The evening events include the Collectors Car Show, featuring four area car clubs; kids' activities; food and beverage concessions; and live music.   A repeat performance of the Night Glow Extravaganza will conclude the evening's events again.

One particular event of interest will be the Camp Hertko Helium Balloon Launch that will take place on both Friday and Saturday at 7:45 p.m.  This fun event allows participants to purchase a balloon for $1 each, with the money going towards the support of Camp Hertko Hollow, a camp especially for kids with diabetes.  The balloons are tagged and tracked on the greatgalenaballoonrace.com website.

Sunday, June 22 - Guests will have one last chance to view the Crack of Dawn Balloon Race, as the balloons take flight one last time beginning at 6 a.m.

SPECIAL PACKAGE: For guests looking to attend the event, the resort will be offering the Great Galena Balloon Getaway Lodging Package, which includes accommodations for two nights, one large pizza from Paisanos restaurant, and $25 Eagle Ridge Dollars to be used anywhere throughout the resort, including redemption for tickets at the Great Galena Balloon Festival. Package rates start at $469 for double occupancy; tax and resort fee additional. For more information, please visit www.eagleridge.com.

Hot air balloon rides for spectators are available for all of the events. To purchase tickets, contact Galena On The Fly, Inc. at 800-690-1287.

All proceeds from the Great Galena Balloon Race go to fund the fight for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as it has done every year.

About Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa

Located on 6,800 acres amid the rolling hills of northwestern Illinois, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa is a full-spectrum resort complex that has been recommended nationally by such publications as Better Homes & Gardens, Midwest Living and Golfweek magazine. The property provides a superior golf experience with 63 holes on four acclaimed courses, as well as three distinctive restaurants including Woodlands Restaurant, Spike's Bar & Grill and Paisanos. Other amenities include the tranquil Stonedrift Spa, which provides a complete sensory experience, and a state-of-the-art fitness center with an indoor/outdoor pool. The property also provides the perfect backdrop to an incredible selection of outdoor activities including miles of biking, hiking and horseback trails, tennis, hot air balloon rides and boating and fishing on the picturesque 220-acre Lake Galena. For reservations or more information call (800) 892-2269 or visit online at www.eagleridge.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

WAGSTAFF WORLDWIDE, INC., (312) 943-6900