 | Kinsmen Cornwall Lift-Off 2013 is ready to soar this weekend. Everything is in place and the final touches are being made by a growing army of volunteers. The annual festival starts Thursday, bringing four-days of excitement and entertainment as dozens of hot-air balloons light up Cornwall’s skyline. | |
Cornwall - July 11, 2013 - Kinsmen Cornwall Lift-Off 2013 is ready to soar this weekend. Everything is in place and the final touches are being made by a growing army of volunteers. The annual festival starts Thursday, bringing four-days of excitement and entertainment as dozens of hot-air balloons light up Cornwall’s skyline.
Cue Up the Band!
Expectations are high this year, especially given a music line-up that is easily the biggest ever. It has music fans and organizers excited alike.
“We worked hard to enhance the line-up,” said Fesitival Co-Chair Jason Jesmer. “Seeing so many bands on one stage over the weekend will be cool.”
Over 20 bands will take to the stage in Lamoureux Park over the four days. This includes many of Cornwall's top bands, as well as some international stars. Headliners include:
•Down With Webster - Thursday July 11
•Lou Gramm - Friday, July 12
•Dean Brody- Saturday, July 13
•Myles Goodwyn and April Wine - Sunday July 14
For a complete line-up of all music acts, check out this article.
Balloons Galore!
Though the musical acts are the headliners for the weekend, they are surely not the only show to look forward to. The festival is the only remaining hot-air balloon event in Ontario, and the sight of 25+ balloons taking off at once attracts people from across the region.
The balloons themselves and their design fall under a “fire theme,” said Jesmer. “That compliments the local fire department showcasing their aerial boom trucks on-site.” In addition to the signature balloons, Lamoureux Park will provide dozens of fun activities.
Family Fun Zone
The TD Canada Trust Family Zone offers pony rides, obstacles courses, face painting, arts and crafts, and music playing sessions all intermittent throughout the day from 10am-8pm, Thursday to Sunday. All sessions are free and provide fun for people of all ages.
Friday offers a Lego Mobile station from 10-5pm to bring fun for the whole family, and the Senators Fun Club with Sparticat brings a mini hockey rink, a Sparticat slide, and a hardest shot competition Saturday from 10-5pm.
Midway
The Homeniuk Midway is returning and offers thrilling rides and games in exchange for tickets. New rides this year include a monkey maze, a wave swing, and ladybugs. Favourites such as the Expo Wheel, Music Fest, the Scrambler, and Scooter make a return. Games like Skee Ball, Whack-a-Mole, Water Race and Basket Balls make a comeback, while food vendors offer candy floss, corndogs and mini donuts.
Affordable Entertainment
While the festival offers fun-filled activities for participants of all ages, Jason Jesmer suggests people to buy their tickets early. Doing so will allow everyone to fill out the ballot on the stub that will enter them in to a chance to meet the bands and or at least get up close to the stage.
Ticket buyers get more value for their dollar than ever this year as the price of a tickets have been lowered.
“A pass to the entire four days of music is only $50.00, which will allow couples and families to enjoy the entertainment,” says Jesmer. “Children under 12 are free if accompanied by a paying adult. We also added a $10.00 match play on the back of every ticket for the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino.”
Tickets are available from a variety of locations, including Ticketbreak.ca, Cornwall Square (admin office), Scotiabank, Your Credit Union, Rona Cornwall and Computer Sense. Single day passes are $25, with Sunday only $10.
Of course, many of the events at Lift-Off do not come at any cost at all, and Cornwall Transit will once again be offering free rides to the festival goers. It all adds up to a very affordable four days.
Generous Sponsors
Kinsmen Cornwall Lift-Off 2013 is shaping up to be the best iteration yet, and organizers thank the generosity of its many sponsors.
“Sponsors literally get us off the ground!” says Jesmer. “You can’t book a band or secure any other major aspects of the event until you have a positive cash flow. Our sponsors are vital to ensuring that we are able to cover the deposits and get the ball rolling.”
"Lamoureux Park is the place to be for the next four days," says Jesmer. “We hope everbody in Cornwall and SDG comes out for the fun - and bring some friends from out of town too!”
About Cornwall Lift-Off
Cornwall Lift-Off was founded in 1994 and has since hosted back-to-back Canadian National Hot Air Balloon Championships in 1996 and 1997. The success of the festival has grown considerably since its modest beginnings in 1994. Each year, the festival welcomes approximately 25 hot-air balloon teams, the Homenuik Rides carnival, a spectacular fireworks display, Family Zone, and great local and international musical entertainment. Past entertainers have included Burton Cummings, Marianas Trench, Sloan, Dennis DeYoung of Styx, Tom Cochrane, Colin James, Amanda Marshall, Theory of a Deadman, Finger Eleven, Collective Soul, Loverboy, Trooper, Kim Mitchell, April Wine, Our Lady Peace and Chantal Kreviazuk.
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