The RE/MAX® Ballunar Liftoff Festival kicks off this month with a weekend celebrating Man’s fascination with flight. In partnership with the City of Nassau Bay, the weekend celebration features approximately 100 giant hot air balloons piloted by the world’s most skilled aerial navigators, punctuated by daylong skydiving exhibitions, para-gliders & hang-gliders, all set in a carnival atmosphere with food, crafts, a Midway with rides, and ongoing live musical entertainment.

Adults and children alike will be dazzled by the aerial acrobatic skill of the RE/MAX Skydiving Team captained by veteran skydiver Al Saylor. The team will join the festivities Friday night, delivering the American and Texas flag to the tune of the National Anthem. Throughout the weekend as balloons launch and land, Al along with dozens of other skydivers will be performing dives about every 30 minutes.

“We’ll be jumping in three teams comprised of 16 skydivers each, the red, the white and the blue team,” says Al. “These teams will be creating 16-way skydiving formations in the skies above the crowd.” The teams will jump from 13,500 feet over NASA/Johnson Space Center in building formations and fall at speeds of over a 120 MPH.

As the skydivers land with their colorful parachutes, the fun continues both on and above the ground with model rocket launches, remote control aircraft flights and hand gliders that will be released over the field. “The United States Coast Guard will be here to give flight demonstrations,” continues Al. “We’ll have power parachutes on hand and a special ultra-light aircraft that will also be in flight.”

“Our program is very children-oriented and gives kids a chance to learn about non-mainstream aviation,” says Al of the educational value of the skydiving team’s presentations and activities. “I think what will be the most exciting for kids are the chances to meet the skydivers, learn how to pack parachutes and getting to see ultra-light aircrafts in flight. They will also have a chance to try out a hand glider simulator and feel what it’s like to hand glide through the air. What’s more fun than that?”

The RE/MAX Ballunar Festival is held from November 2nd-4th at the NASA/Johnson Space Center. For more information, schedule of events, and directions to the NASA/Johnson Space Center, visit www.ballunarfestival.com. Contact Al Saylor by calling 281-435-8586.