NASA/Johnson Space Center - August 23, 2006 - Visualize skydiving, hang gliding, powered parachutes, gyrocopters, remote control aircraft, helicopters and ultralight aircraft all flying (weather permitting) at The Ballunar Liftoff Festival, sponsored by Schepps Dairy!

"This could well be the most diverse collection of flying machines ever to appear at one event, with over 70 giant hot-air balloons to the technological marvels of modern spacecraft, and an amazing group of hybrid flying vehicles that will amaze visitors," said Al "Sky" Saylor, Caption of the RE/MAX Skydiving Team and Director of Flight Operations for the festival, which opens at 6:00pm this Friday at Rocket Park at the NASA/Johnson Space Center.

Admission is just $10 per carload, with free onsite parking, and includes Saturday's NASA Mini-Tour, visiting moon rocks, the Saturn V exhibit, astronaut training facilities, and more.

"We'll have three teams of 16 skydivers in competition that freefall from 2 miles over the festival site at over 120 mph before forming intricate patterns in the sky, then breaking apart for breathtaking landings," Saylor noted. "There'll be U.S. Coastguard Search and Recovery rescue demonstrations, and the world largest gyro-plane, the DragQueen will perform. The skies are filled with every type of navigable personal flying machine!"

"Hang gliders will soar on thermals like eagles, and over 20 soft wing powered parachutes and paragliders will be flying over the balloon field. There'll be mass balloon ascensions at dawn each morning, and mass balloon glows at dusk," Saylor continued. "Kids can visit with all the skydivers, watch them pack their parachutes for the next jump, get autographs, and watch model airplane and model rocket clubs put on spectacular demonstrations."

"For just $10 per carload, a family can visit the summer's greatest outdoor, educational family event, enjoy children's carnival, musical entertainment, arts and crafts, and get an autograph from a real NASA Astronaut. From beginning to end, this is airsports excellence for all ages," Saylor concluded.