The ascension of the balloons in the newly dawned sky captures the attention of spectators in Helen, Georgia, and throughout Northeast Georgia. It is a moment that never gets old to balloonists, spectators, and ground crews. You can be a part of it all this weekend at the Helen Hot Air Balloon Race and Festival.
“Ballooning brings out the kid in everyone,” Tarp Head, owner of Head Balloons, Inc. and Balloonmeister for the event, explained. “There is something incredible about the colors and the feeling when you see them in the sky.”
Tarp Head saw his first hot air balloon in 1973 at the age of 19 and knows all too well that special feeling when the eyes look up and see the beauty of ballooning.
Head Balloons, Inc. is a balloon manufacturing company specializing in custom-built balloons by creating unique designs and utilizing the most rugged materials available today. Head received his FAA license to manufacture balloons in 1981.
“I started out wanting to learn to fly balloons,” Tarp added. “When something would rip, I would sew it up.” From piloting to repair, balloons became a part of Tarp, and 40-plus years later, he still loves everything about the business.
Tarp and his wife Desiree met at a balloon festival in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The two have been married for 23 years. “Desiree is one of the premier crew chiefs in the world,” Tarp said of his wife.
In the Head household, it doesn’t stop there. Four years ago, J.T. Head III, Tarp and Desiree’s son, piloted a solo flight at the age of 8. He is the youngest person in the world to pilot a hot air balloon solo.
By the Federal Aviation Administration regulations, a person must be 14 years old to fly a full-sized balloon. J.T. piloted an ultralight aircraft made by David Bristol, a family friend. No pilot certification was required.
Head Balloon is one of four manufacturers of hot air balloons in the United States.
“There are so many other ways for people to enjoy the thrills of life – ballooning is not as popular as it once was,” Tarp said. “We sell between 15 to 20 hot air balloons a year.”
Start-up costs for someone to become involved in the sport don’t have to be expensive. A new balloon with the equipment could cost in the area of $40,000.00, but a person can find used equipment at reasonable prices. “It’s like buying a used car instead of a new one,” Tarp explained.
Tarp and his family will be in Helen this weekend for the 51st Annual Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race and Festival. The Helendorf River Inn and Suites hosts the event each year and has since its beginnings in 1973.
Tarp has worked with Catherine Cleiman of the Helendorf for many years. “I helped Catherine’s parents many years ago before they passed away. Catherine has been involved in ballooning for as long as I have.”
This is an event you will not want to miss. Catherine, along with her son Cole and the staff of the Helendorf, make the event come to life for the city of Helen.
Lift-off for the Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race and Mass Ascension begins at 7 a.m. on Thursday, May 30th.
At 6:30 p.m. the local balloon event continues. On May 31st and June 1st, times are 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. There are no ballooning activities during the day so visitors can enjoy the city of Helen and all it offers.
The launch field is located across the river from Cool River Tubing and the city’s River Park on the Wilkin’s property. To enter the field, go across the bridge at Cool River Tubing and turn left. While most balloons will use the launch field, a few may also launch in various places around town.
If the weather permits, there are opportunities to experience a tethered balloon ride for spectators with a sense of adventure.
