Hot Air Jubilee has launched in Jackson for the weekend

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — It’s been a record-hot year–and the organizers of Hot Air Jubilee in Jackson are announcing a record number of women vying for this year’s hot air balloon championship.

This Friday through Sunday, women pilots from around the country will be at Jackson’s Ella Sharp Park to pilot in the U.S. Women’s National Balloon Championships at Hot Air Jubilee.

“We are delighted to welcome such a talented and passionate group of pilots to Jackson this year,” said Hot Air Jubilee Chair Angela Madden. “Our community’s dedication and love of ballooning is truly inspiring. We can’t wait to see these women in the sky over Jackson.”

Amanda Brodbeck, the 2023 U.S. Women’s Champion, will be competing again this year. She’s one of 16 women vying for the 2024 championship–as compared to last year’s 15 competitors .

Brodbeck, an electrical engineer by trade, also builds robots. She and her hot air balloon, “Esmeralda,” edged out the competition last year in Jackson.

This year’s competitors are as follows:

• Amanda Brodbeck and balloon ‘Esmeralda Featherton’
• Natasha Stanke and balloon ‘Wonder Women’
• Cheri White and balloon ‘Red Racer’
• Peg Billson and balloon ‘Shilo’
• Sanne Haarhuis and balloon ‘Dutch Direct’
• Carolanne Walter and balloon ‘Cheetah’
• Kelly Hilberth and balloon ‘Skittles’
• Kimberly Whiteman and balloon ‘Flame Buoyant’
• Dawn McKenzie and balloon ‘Daydream’
• Holly Pfeifer and balloon ‘Cherry Bomb’
• Kellie Rocha and balloon ‘Skyjumper’
• Janet Patton and balloon ‘North Star’
• Janet Lutkus and balloon ‘Goodnight Gracie’
• Meredith Bennett and balloon ‘Moonshine’
• Amy Gneiting and balloon ‘Uranus’
• Angela Madden and balloon ‘Special Interest’

The hot air balloon competition is from 6:30 a.m. to dusk this Friday, July 19 and this Saturday, July 20; and Sunday morning at 6:30.

A family-friendly festival will accompany the competition on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

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