Thurston Classic Returns
Meadville – The 36th annual Thurston Classic begins tonight with the Joyce Stevens Night Glow at the Allegheny College Campus’s Robertson Athletic Complex on Park Avenue in Meadville. While the weather this morning doesn’t seem to be cooperative, we should have breezy, but perfectly clear conditions for the balloons to inflate and glow by 9 o’clock tonight. The races begin on Friday with the Ted Watts Sr. Memorial Hound and Hair Chase and then four sanctioned race events between Saturday and Father’s Day.
This year’s Thurston Classic hosts 21 balloons, including the special guest balloon, American Rocket. American Rocket is a space rocket-shaped hot air balloon dressed in American flag livery, owned and operated by SkyCab promotions, and piloted by Michael Lawrence of Canton, OH. This year will see the return of many of the favorites, including Alex Johnard’s Zee-nith, Dave Seekill’s Shining Light, and even a few new balloons and faces.
As always, attendance is absolutely free, and this year, a limited shuttle is available from the parking lot to the launch field, but no seating is provided; guests should bring their own picnic blankets or chairs. Concessions, food trucks, and souvenirs will be available on-site.